Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Picks column: SEC Championship

Dec. 3, 2015

Site: Georgia Dome (Cap. 71,228

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida sweeps New Hampshire in first round of NCAA Tournament

By Patrick Pinak | Dec. 3, 2015

From start to finish, New Hampshire didn’t have an answer for Alex Holston.

UF setter Abby Detering serves during Florida's 3-0 win against Auburn on Oct. 11, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Pocket Aces: Setters’ dominating serves highlight Gators victory over New Hampshire

By Brian Lee | Dec. 3, 2015

With the Gators up 18-6 in the second set against New Hampshire, Abby Detering walked to the back line to serve.

Alabama running back Derrick Henry (2) runs the ball during an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, in Auburn, Ala. Alabama won 29-13.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF preparing for stud Alabama running back Derrick Henry

By Luis Torres | Dec. 2, 2015

Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing in around 240 pounds, Alabama running back Derrick Henry is built like a linebacker, but he’s quick enough and powerful enough to run through you with the momentum of a high-speeding semi truck down a highway.

UF outside hitter Ziva Recek (middle) celebrates with teammates after a point during Florida's 3-0 win against Alabama on Nov. 13, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Slovenian Success: Ziva Recek nears end of Florida volleyball career

By Brian Lee | Dec. 2, 2015

When Ziva Recek first stepped on to the University of Florida campus, she barely spoke English.

UF coach Jim McElwain walks out of the tunnel prior to Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy talks Jim McElwain

By GRAHAM HACK | Dec. 2, 2015

Jim McElwain’s dead fish analogy isn’t something new.

UF's Demarcus Robinson (left) eludes defenders after catching a pass during Florida's 9-7 win against Vanderbilt on Nov. 7, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF seniors keep Demarcus Robinson on team

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 2, 2015

Demarcus Robinson now has another opportunity.

UF's John Egbunu dunks during Florida's 76-56 win against Richmond on Dec. 1, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida men’s basketball squishes Spiders behind dominant first half

By IAN COHEN | Dec. 1, 2015

It began as Brandone Francis-Ramirez drove into the paint, left his feet to spin in mid-air, and dropped a no-look, behind-the-back pass into John Egbunu’s lap.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban walks across the football field before an NCAA college football game against Auburn on Saturday in Auburn, Alabama.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Looking back at the UF-Alabama SEC Championship rivalry

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 1, 2015

When No. 18 Florida and No. 2 Alabama face off in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game at 4 p.m. Saturday, it’ll be the eighth matchup between the two for the conference crown. The Gators own the all-time record against the Crimson Tide in the title game, 4-3. Here’s a look at how the other matchups panned out.

Teammates celebrate with cornerback Jalen Tabor after his interception during Florida's 20-14 overtime win against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 21, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Secondary duo key to Florida football team’s success

By GRAHAM HACK | Dec. 1, 2015

In the second quarter of Saturday’s game against Florida State, UF defensive back Jalen Tabor came inches away from knocking down a pass on fourth down.

UF quarterback Treon Harris passes during Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida rallying around struggling sophomore quarterback

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 1, 2015

Quarterback Treon Harris has failed to move Florida’s offense over the last month.

UF guard Dyandria Anderson drives down the court during Florida's win against Savannah State.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF women’s basketball wins sixth straight contest with victory over South Alabama

By Ethan Bauer | Dec. 1, 2015

Florida’s game against South Alabama on Tuesday night was reminiscent of Charles Dickens’ novel “A Tale of Two Cities.”

UF point guard Kasey Hill goes up for a layup during Florida's 104-54 win against North Carolina A&T on Nov. 16, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Richmond Spiders could be “handful” for Florida men’s basketball

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Nov. 30, 2015

While Vermont and Florida Gulf Coast, whom Florida defeated Wednesday and Friday respectively, put up solid first half fights, they aren’t exactly offensive juggernauts.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

SEC Championship Game asserts UF’s return to relevance

By GRAHAM HALL | Nov. 30, 2015

Saturday’s Southeastern Conference Championship Game is the most concrete evidence to date that the Gators have returned to the national spotlight sooner than anyone could have anticipated.

UF football coach Jim McElwain walks down the sideline during Florida's 27-3 win against Georgia on Oct. 31, 2015, at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Jim McElwain’s turnaround is something to be marveled at

By GRAHAM HACK | Nov. 30, 2015

Saturday, Florida will play Alabama in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game, a contest even the most optimistic of Gator fans couldn’t have dreamed of being in for at least another two years.

In this Nov. 7, 2015, file photo, LSU quarterback Brandon Harris (6) is hit by Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) and Alabama defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Tuscaloosa , Ala.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

A look at the opponent waiting the Gators in Atlanta: the Alabama Crimson Tide

By Luis Torres | Nov. 30, 2015

With the regular season now in the rearview mirror, the No. 12 Gators (10-2) will head to Atlanta for a matchup against No. 2 Alabama (11-1) with the Southeastern Conference Championship on the line.

They lost three senior backrow players from a year ago and lost five conference matches for the first time in 25 years under Mary Wise, but the Gators still made it to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. Here are our two features on two players who got them there: Patrick Pinak's story on the knitting middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan (http://www.alligator.org/sports/volleyball/article_0a8cb024-8447-11e5-9fdb-c7277e26ef59.html) and Brian Lee's look at Ziva Recek's journey (http://www.alligator.org/sports/volleyball/article_a26ac8a4-9973-11e5-87b8-c375ed626332.html)

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

UF volleyball unsatisfied with simply competing in NCAA Tournament

By Brian Lee | Nov. 30, 2015

The Florida volleyball team is in familiar territory.

Haley Lorenzen blocks a shot during Florida's win against Jacksonville.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF looks to continue winning ways at South Alabama

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 30, 2015

It must feel pretty good to be a member of the Florida women’s basketball program right now.

Chase Perez-Blanco returns a ball during Florida's 4-1 win against Mississippi State on March 13 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

All about the Chase: Sophomore shining for UF men’s tennis

By Madison Belfour | Nov. 29, 2015

When asked if he had any pre-match rituals, Florida men's tennis player Chase Perez-Blanco had a simple answer.

UF Jim McElwain walks off the field following Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Student meets teacher at SEC Championship

By GRAHAM HALL | Nov. 29, 2015

Florida’s 27-2 loss to FSU in the team’s regular-season finale temporarily erased the memories of a promising season in Gainesville under first-year UF coach Jim McElwain.