sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Will Muschamp watches from the sideline during Florida’s 17-6 loss to LSU on Oct. 12 in Baton Rouge, La.

Sports

J.C. Jackson, others send LOIs to Florida

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Feb. 5, 2014

2014 National Signing Day is finally here, and UF’s day has already started with an important commitment.

Freshman forward Chris Walker looks for a pass during Florida’s 68-58 win against Missouri on Tuesday in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Walker stars despite short-lived debut

By LANDON WATNICK< | Feb. 4, 2014

The big story leading into Tuesday night was Chris Walker’s much-awaited debut, but Gators fans got only a small dose of the freshman forward during No. 3 Florida’s 68-58 win against Missouri in the O’Connell Center.

Will Muschamp speaks at a press conference in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Jan. 13. UF hosted Friday Night Lights on Friday for its top prospects.

Sports

Signing Day has arrived

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Feb. 4, 2014

National Signing Day is finally here.

Belinda Woolcock swings at the ball during Florida’s 4-0 win against Louisville on Jan. 25 in the Ring Tennis Complex. Woolcock and the Gators have not lost a doubles point despite occasional struggles.

Sports

Gators off to familiar hot start

By IAN COHEN | Feb. 4, 2014

Florida may have many new faces, but the results have stayed the same.

Sports

Gators finish sixth of 16

By LAYNE WEITZEL< | Feb. 4, 2014

Florida showed its youth during its performance in its first tournament of the spring.

Outfielder Harrison Bader bats during Florida’s 4-0 win against Ole Miss on March 31, 2013, at McKethan Stadium.

Sports

Bader suspended indefinitely from Gators following scooter accident

By ADAM PINCUS< | Feb. 4, 2014

Sophomore outfielder Harrison Bader has been suspended indefinitely from team activities due to a scooter accident early Sunday morning in which the Gainesville Police Department is investigating whether alcohol was involved.

Chris Walker (middle) watches from the bench during Florida’s 74-58 win against South Carolina on Jan. 8 in the O’Connell Center. Walker is expected to make his college debut against Missouri tonight at 9 p.m.

Sports

Walker to make highly anticipated debut tonight against Mizzou

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Feb. 3, 2014

In the 52 days since Chris Walker was admitted to Florida, he has been his own entity — isolated from the team and helpless to do anything about it.

Kytra Hunter performs a balance beam routine during Florida’s 197.875-197.225 win against Oklahoma on Friday in the O’Connell Center. Hunter notched the first consecutive 10s on the floor in UF history.

Sports

UF eclipsing last year’s pace

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Feb. 3, 2014

Coach Rhonda Faehn has fewer and fewer changes to make to her squad as the season progresses.

Carlie Needles defends against Alabama on Thursday during Florida’s 75-67 win in the O’Connell Center. UF is fourth in the Southeastern Conference in turnover margin.

Sports

Florida exceeding expectations during tough conference slate

By GORDON STREISAND< | Feb. 3, 2014

In the early stages of the season, the new, fluid offense was supposed to be Florida’s strong point.

Tim Walton studies the field during Florida’s 11-1 win against USF on May 18, 2013, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Walton and the Gators open play in the Women's College World Series against Baylor at noon.

Sports

Florida entering 2014 season with depth in pitching circle

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Feb. 3, 2014

Tim Walton’s team has plenty of depth to start the 2014 season.

Florida lacrosse coach Amanda O’Leary (left) was pleased with the way her bench performed in its 18-6 victory over Marquette on Saturday. "It is... good to see some players who typically don't get in and see what they can do,” O'Leary said.

Sports

Gators look to start season strong despite lack of experience

By EDEN OTERO | Feb. 3, 2014

The last time No. 4 Florida lacrosse went head-to-head with an opponent, it had 13 seniors and shared an American Lacrosse Conference title.

Sports

Gators struggle in first round of familiar in-state tournament

By LAYNE WEITZEL< | Feb. 3, 2014

Describing head coach Buddy Alexander as unhappy with Florida’s performance in the first day of its season-opening tournament would be an understatement.

Michael Frazier II attempts a layup during Florida’s 69-36 win against Texas A&M on Feb. 1 in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

UF extends streak to 27 home games

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Feb. 2, 2014

During the Gators’ record 27-game winning streak in the O’Connell Center, Florida has hosted and defeated non-conference opponents such as Kansas, Florida State and Wisconsin.

Antoinette Bannister drives toward the net during Florida’s 75-67 win against Alabama on Thursday in the O’Connell Center. Bannister scored 18 points — a career high — while shooting better than 50 percent from the field against Ole Miss on Sunday.

Sports

Gators overcome rebounding drought, cruise past Rebels

By GORDON STREISAND< | Feb. 2, 2014

Successful rebounding was ubiquitous in Florida’s 81-60 win at Ole Miss on Sunday.

Lauren Haeger swings at a pitch during Florida’s 11-1 win against USF on May 18, 2013, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Junior pitcher provides Gators with power in circle, at plate

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Feb. 2, 2014

It is rare to find a pitcher who can hit the ball out of the park when she steps up to the plate.

Sports

Brewer sets top triple-jump mark

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Feb. 1, 2014

Records are meant to be broken. And that is what Ciarra Brewer did on the final day of the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., on Saturday.

Sports

UF wins 23rd straight

By Logan McGuire | Feb. 1, 2014

After Saturday’s 179-121 win on the road over No. 18 Tennessee, the No. 2 Florida’s men’s swimming and diving team (8-0, 5-0 Southeastern Conference) extended its dual meet win streak to 23 — a stretch that spans the past three regular seasons.

Sports

Gators notch fourth-straight sweep against ranked Bears

By IAN COHEN | Feb. 1, 2014

A change in venue could not disrupt the Gators’ hot streak.

Sports

Key injury leads to Florida's first loss of the season

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Feb. 1, 2014

Spencer Newman fought hard to help keep his team alive in doubles, but he couldn’t escape a match-changing ankle roll in singles that led to the Gators losing for the first time this season.

Patric Young drives into the paint against Texas A&M on Saturday. Young’s career-high 14 rebounds helped Florida win its 13th straight Southeastern Conference home game. Young fell short of a double-double, notching nine points against the Aggies.

Sports

Young leads UF to blowout win against TAMU

By LANDON WATNICK< | Feb. 1, 2014

On the afternoon of his 22nd birthday Saturday, Patric Young blew out Texas A&M’s candles.