Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF coach Jim McElwain laughs with players after practice on Dec. 4, 2015, prior to the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Eight recruits to look out for on National Signing Day

Feb. 2, 2016

Finally, National Signing Day is here — the day where recruits across the country sign their national letters of intent to formally commit to the college of their choice. Here are eight recruits to watch out for as coach Jim McElwain rounds out his second recruiting class at Florida. All information regarding rankings comes from Rivals.com.

UF freshman catcher Mike Rivera throws the ball back to pitcher Logan Shore (not pictured) during Florida's 14-3 win against South Carolina on April 10, 2015 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: It’s championship or bust for UF baseball team

By Luis Torres | Feb. 1, 2016

This year has the makings of something special for the Florida baseball team.

Coach Jenny Rowland fist-bumps gymnast Alex McMurtry prior to McMurtry’s uneven parallel bars during Florida’s win against Alabama on Jan. 29, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

UF gymnastics team off to hot start, but yet to peak

By Alejandro López | Feb. 1, 2016

Timing is everything.

Dorian Finney-Smith attempts a three-pointer during Florida’s win over West Virginia on Jan. 30, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Notebook: Finney-Smith leading Gators with improved play

By IAN COHEN | Feb. 1, 2016

About two months ago, Dorian Finney-Smith was Florida’s vocal leader.

Mollie Stevens (17) runs toward the net during Florida's win against San Diego State last season at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

UF lacrosse to field youth and experience

By Kyle Brutman | Feb. 1, 2016

One hundred three goals and 30 assists.

Kelly Grassel lines up a shot during the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational on UF's Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Women’s golf finishes in first in Florida Challenge

By Alfredo Morales | Feb. 1, 2016

The Florida women’s golf team started its Spring season on an explosive note after going club-to-club with other Florida teams in the Florida Challenge tournament on Monday.

Alejandro Tosti putts during the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 14.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida men’s golf makes statement in opening rounds

By Ray Boone | Feb. 1, 2016

The No. 12 Florida Gators men’s golf team opened up spring play with a bang on Monday at the Sea Best Invitational due to the spectacular play of the team’s underclassmen.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Gators end Razorback Invitational with strong showing

By Lauren Staff | Jan. 30, 2016

After two days of competition at the Razorback Invitational, the Gators wrapped up a memorable weekend filled with record-breaking performances from members of both the No. 1 men’s team and the No. 6 women’s team.

Dorian Finney-Smith dunks during Florida’s win over West Virginia on Jan. 30, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida upsets West Virginia in physical battle

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 30, 2016

For what seemed like a few seconds, Dorian Finney-Smith hung in the air, the result of a long stride into the paint after a devastating pump fake from the corner.

UF men's tennis coach Bryan Shelton looks on during Florida's 6-1 win over Troy on Jan. 17, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida men's tennis working on improving doubles chemistry

By Dylan Dixon | Jan. 28, 2016

Doubles competition is sometimes overlooked in collegiate tennis.

UF’s John Egbunu grabs a rebound during Florida’s 95-63 win against Auburn on Jan. 23, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida hindered by John Egbunu's foul trouble in loss

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Jan. 27, 2016

In basketball, size matters.

Coach Tim Walton was more than happy to empty his bench in Florida's 19-3 win over Florida A&M on Wednesday. “I think overall the main priority is to get everybody at-bats and to keep our timing right," he said.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators softball ranked No. 1 heading into season

By Brian Lee | Jan. 26, 2016

The Florida softball team will begin its national championship defense from the same place it started last season’s: The top.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Three Gators headed to Super Bowl, Noah likely out for season

By Luis Torres | Jan. 26, 2016

The matchup for Super Bowl 50 is set between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers, and three former Gators will be playing in the biggest game of their professional careers as members of the Broncos.

UF coach Jenny Rowland waves to the crowd prior to Florida’s win against UCLA on Jan. 15, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators gymnastics looking to feed off of coach Jenny Rowland

By Alejandro López | Jan. 25, 2016

For Florida gymnastics coach Jenny Rowland, last weekend presented a slew of firsts.

UF guard Simone Westbrook drives into the paint during Florida's 53-45 win against LSU on Jan. 17, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF women's basketball falls to Missouri on road

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 24, 2016

With 40 seconds left in Sunday’s game against Missouri, Florida’s Cassie Peoples took a jumper with her team down by 13.

UF’s Dorian Finney-Smith drives into the paint during Florida’s 95-63 win against Auburn on Jan. 23, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators thrash Tigers behind offensive explosion

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 23, 2016

The only thing that went wrong was the sequence after the opening tip.

UF coach Bryan Shelton (right) congratulates McClain Kessler during Florida's 6-1 win over Troy on Jan. 17, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF men's tennis trounces Texas, advances to face Texas Tech

By Dylan Dixon | Jan. 23, 2016

The Florida’s men’s tennis team scored their first upset of the season on Saturday, defeating the University of Texas in convincing fashion to put the Gators’ record at 3-0 on the year.

UF forward Justin Leon goes up for a dunk during Florida's 81-78 win over Mississippi State on Jan. 19, 2016 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UF men's basketball looking to keep win streak alive against Auburn

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Jan. 21, 2016

Two wins in a row is nothing for Florida to celebrate.

Taylore Fuller bats during Florida's 8-0 win against Indiana on Feb. 22, 2014 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida utility players look to make impact in 2016 season

By Brian Lee | Jan. 21, 2016

Depth and versatility are two qualities essential to any championship team.

UF guard Eleanna Christinaki drives down the court during Florida's 53-45 win against LSU on Jan. 17, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators continue SEC schedule against improving Tide

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 20, 2016

Alabama’s schedule is unusual.