Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Texas running back Johnathan Gray celebrates after scoring on a 45-yard touchdown run in the first half of his team's 31-30 win against Iowa State on Oct. 3, 2013 in Ames, Iowa.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Picks Column: LSU

Oct. 10, 2013

Rapper Kanye West and talk show host Jimmy Kimmel reconciled on Wednesday’s edition of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and we here at the alligatorSports Brand Picks Column could not be more relieved. In fact, as the crew watched the pivotal, emotional exchange between West and Kimmel, there were some tears shed. But not a single one of us would Runaway. We considered this exchange a Good Life lesson. Even the most Heartless among us felt their love grow Stronger as we witnessed this spectacle of forgiveness and understanding.

Tyler Murphy runs the ball during Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Sept. 21 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Rally: Who will win the UF-LSU game?

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Oct. 10, 2013

Each week, two alligatorSports columnists will debate the biggest looming matchup in college football. Today, Phillip Heilman and Adam Lichtenstein preview No. 17 Florida’s showdown against No. 10 LSU in Baton Rouge, La., on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on CBS.

Senior forward Will Yeguete attempts a layup over Marquette guard Vander Blue during Florida’s 82-49 victory against the Golden Eagles on Nov. 29 at the O’Connell Center. Yeguete averaged 5.5 points per game last season.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Notebook: Donovan looking to create offensive balance

By LANDON WATNICK< | Oct. 10, 2013

Florida enters the upcoming season having lost more than half of its scoring output from 2012-13, but coach Billy Donovan is not looking for one player to be the savior on the offensive end.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Gators preparing to run in Disney Classic

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Oct. 10, 2013

Julie Macedo is ready to run.

Ziva Recek reaches for the ball during Florida’s four-set victory against Western Michigan on Sept. 14 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida looking to keep sweep streak alive against Kentucky and Georgia

By RJ Schaffer | Oct. 10, 2013

When No. 15 Kentucky travels to Gainesville on Friday, it will have more than a chance to beat a rival.

Savannah Jordan battles for the ball during Florida’s 3-0 victory against Alabama on Sept. 20 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Jordan set to face Mississippi State before training with U.S. U-18 team

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Oct. 10, 2013

After grabbing the spotlight on the soccer field as a starting freshman, forward Savannah Jordan got the call for some national team action.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Stojic drops match in debut

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Oct. 10, 2013

UF freshman Stefani Stojic fell to USF’s Olaya Garrido-Riyas in her collegiate debut.

Coach Billy Donovan speaks during the Florida men’s basketball team’s annual media day at the University Women’s Club on Wednesday. The Gators will be missing several key players when practice opens Friday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida basketball dealing with preseason distractions

By LANDON WATNICK< | Oct. 9, 2013

One word summarizes the start of Florida’s 2013-14 season: uncertainty.

Freshman point guard Kasey Hill poses at Florida basketball's media day on Wednesday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Notebook: Freshman point guard to be thrust into large role early in season

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Oct. 9, 2013

After being suspended in June for violating team rules, Scottie Wilbekin has been cleared to participate in Friday’s first practice of the year.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Dimaite suffers ACL tear; Gators left with only nine players

By GORDON STREISAND< | Oct. 9, 2013

The injury bug is not an equal-opportunity offender. Just ask redshirt sophomore center Viktorija Dimaite.

Olivia Janowicz prepares to return a serve in a match against Duke in 2011.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators preparing for only home tournament of fall season

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Oct. 9, 2013

Coming off trips to North Carolina and California, the UF women’s tennis team will begin its first and only home event of the fall season today at 9 a.m.