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Hello, my name is Griffin Foll. I graduated from the University of Florida in August 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a specialization in sports and media. I am passionate about my writing and reporting, and I hope you enjoy my personal website. Welcome!
  • SB: Adams Shines in Florida’s Series-Clinching Victory Over LSU Saturday

    SB: Adams Shines in Florida’s Series-Clinching Victory Over LSU Saturday

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk.com


    After scoring four fourth-inning runs to cut its deficit to 6-4, LSU center fielder Aliyah Andrews dug into the batter’s box as the tying run. Andrews sent a hard-struck liner to the right side of the infield, but Florida second baseman Hannah Adams made a diving grab to escape the jam.

    “We take a lot of pride in defense every single day at practice, so that when we go out on the field, we can just play and let loose and make all the plays,” Adams said. “It’s really great any time we can go out there and make all the plays behind our pitchers’ backs.”

    Florida head coach Tim Walton described how Adams has done an excellent job filling the void left by former shortstop and defensive captain Sophia Reynoso. “[Adams] makes me look like a good coach on defense because she does a good job quarterbacking the defense now,” he said. “She’s taken over what Sophia [Reynoso] left behind.”

    Following a series-opening victory Friday night, No. 5 Florida defeated No. 13 LSU 7-4 Saturday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium to clinch the three-game series.

    The Gators got out to a hot start; they scored four runs in the bottom of the first thanks to a pair of two-run homers. Designated player Kendyl Lindaman hit her fourth home run this season before left fielder Jaimie Hoover cleared the right-center-field wall for her second dinger this year.

    “When we hit, we hit,” Walton said. “Everybody was swinging the bat well, I was really pleased.”

    The Gators tacked on another run in each of the next two innings to take a commanding 6-0 lead heading into the fourth. Third baseman Charla Echols drove in Hoover on an infield-RBI-single in the bottom of the second before Adams’ RBI-single — one of four singles in the game — scored Hoover in the third.

    Walton praised Adams’ consistency as it translates from practices to games. “She’s as steady as you’ll see every day,” he said. “She’s by far one of the best players on this team and in the country,”

    Florida southpaw Katie Chronister started in the circle and didn’t yield a baserunner until the ninth batter she faced singled. Chronister ran into trouble, however, in the top of fourth when she gave up four earned runs on a trio of singles, one double and a walk.

    Senior right-hander Natalie Lugo came in for relief and delivered 3 2/3 shutout frames including a one-two-three top of the seventh inning that secured her third save this season.

    Prior to closing out the last two innings, Florida gained some breathing room in the fifth when catcher Julia Cottrill roped a two-out, RBI double down the left-field line to score the final run of the contest.

    Final (R/H/E)

    No. 13 LSU: 4 / 8 / 0

    No. 5 Florida: 7 / 12 / 0

    Pitching Decision

    Win: Chronister (6-1)

    Loss: Kilponen (5-4)

    Save: Lugo (3)

    Individual Stats (season totals)

    Chronister: 3.1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (2.63 ERA; 0.94 WHIP)

    Lugo: 3.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (1.67 ERA; 0.99 WHIP)

    Adams: 4-4, 2 R, 1 RBI (.477 BA)

    Lindaman: 2-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, HR (4) (.351 BA)

    Echols: 1-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB (.410 BA)

    Cottrill: 2-4, 1 RBI, 1 2B (.297 BA)

    A. Goelz: 0-3 (.236 BA)

    Hoover: 1-2, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 1 HR (2), 1 SB (.312 BA)

    Longley: 1-3, 1 R, 1 BB (.156 BA)

    Lindsey: 1-3, 1 R, 1 SB (.377 BA)

    SEC Showdown

    The Gators will return to the diamond Sunday at 11 a.m. in search of their second straight conference series sweep.

  • SB: Hightower Deals Seventh Complete Game As Gators Shutout LSU In Series Opener

    SB: Hightower Deals Seventh Complete Game As Gators Shutout LSU In Series Opener

    Photo by Brian Fox / ChompTalk.com


    Up 2-0 with two runners aboard, Florida catcher Julia Cottrill swung at an inside pitch and drove it to deep left field. Upon hearing the crack of the bat, LSU left fielder Ciara Briggs darted toward the warning track and tried to rob the three-run bomb, but the ball sailed just over Briggs’ outstretched glove and the left-field wall.

    After hitting her first career home run, Cottrill gave credit to assistant coach Aric Thomas who told the sophomore catcher to anticipate inside pitches. “They’re going to throw you inside, so just be ready for it and hit it over the scoreboard,” Thomas said.

    She executed the plan, which effectively put the nail in LSU’s coffin as the No. 5 Gators ran away with a 5-0 shutout victory over the No. 13 Tigers in Friday night’s series opener.

    After earning SEC Pitcher of the Week honors Tuesday, Florida right-hander Elizabeth Hightower hurled her seventh complete game and fifth shutout this season en route to picking up her 11th win. Hightower allowed lots of solid contact, but a surplus of LSU foul balls led to only three hits and three walks the entire game.

    Hightower admitted that she didn’t have her best stuff in the outing, but staying mentally focused and locked in was ultimately the key to her success. “I didn’t specifically think it was my best night in the circle, but you can’t really tell when my defense picked me up so well,” she said. “I couldn’t lose focus, I had to go hard every single pitch and just compete with every batter.”

    The Gators got on the board first in the bottom of the third when second baseman Hannah Adams drove in left fielder Jaimie Hoover and center fielder Cheyenne Lindsey on a single up the middle. Hoover led off the inning with her first double this season before Lindsey reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second to put runners in scoring position with one out for Adams. After capitalizing, Adams became just the second Gator to reach the 20 RBI-mark already this year.

    The win temporarily moves Florida into solo second place in the SEC standings at 6-1. The Gators trail No. 15 Arkansas (7-0) and hold a half-game advantage over No. 4 Alabama (5-1). Meanwhile, LSU slides back into fifth place as it falls to 4-3 in conference play.

    Final (R/H/E)

    No. 13 LSU: 0 / 3 / 0

    No. 5 Florida: 5 / 7 / 0

    Pitching Decision

    Win: Hightower (11-1)

    Loss: Sunseri (5-3)

    Individual Stats (season totals)

    Hightower: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K (0.90 ERA; 0.68 WHIP)

    Adams: 1-3, 2 RBI (.420 BA)

    Echols: 1-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B (.403 BA)

    Lindaman: 1-2, 1 BB (.338 BA)

    Cottrill: 1-3, 3 RBI, 1 HR (1) (.275 BA)

    Hoover: 1-2, 1 R (.302 BA)

    Wilkie: 1-2 (.250 BA)

    Lindsey: 1-2, 1 R, 1 SB (.384 BA)

    SEC Showdown

    The teams will return to Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium for a rematch Saturday at 5 p.m. on ESPN.

  • VB: Gators Defeat Texas A&M in Regular Season Finale

    VB: Gators Defeat Texas A&M in Regular Season Finale

    Photo by Benjamin Fox / ChompTalk.com


    In their last regular game of the season, the Florida Gators women’s volleyball team deafted the Texas A&M Aggies Thursday night with a final score of 3-1. This was the second match of two in a two-part series against the Aggies.

    In the previous match, the Gators were able to hold the Aggies winless with a sweep over the Aggies. The Gators dominated the Aggies for the most part again tonight, but a tough second set gave the Aggies their first win over the Gators in this series.

    Set 1: 25-19 Gators

    The Gators nabbed the early lead, but the Aggies followed closely behind. However, the Gators were able to hold this advantage for several points until the Aggies began to play a game of catch up. The two teams were finally tied 10-10 when the Aggies began to pull ahead. The Gators did not let this edge last long and tied the set again at 14-14 and again at 16-16. This time coming out of the tie, the Gators began to pull ahead. Unfortunately for the Aggies, the Gators were able to hold them off to win the set with a six point lead.

    Set 2: 27-25 Aggies

    To begin the second set of the night, the Aggies took the slight advantage, going up 5-3. However, the Gators were quick to turn the lead around and pulled out a massive run 7-0 run to go up 10-5 over the Aggies. The Gators were able to keep a 4 to 5 point lead over the Aggies for the majority of the set. In a stunning fashion, the Aggies were able to muster up strength to hold off the Gators and catch up to them at the 23-23 mark. The two teams then began to go swap match points back-and-forth until a double kill by the Aggies cinched them their first win of the night.

    Set 3: 25-17 Gators

    The Gators jumped to an early lead to begin the third set, going up 6-3. The Aggies quickly caught up to the Gators with a 3-0 run to tie up the game at 6-6. The two teams showed off with some back-and-forth action. Neither team gained a significant edge over the other, and they frequently tied until the Gators pulled ahead three points at 19-16. From this point on the Gators held their lead. The Gators went on a massive 6-0 run to hold the Aggies to 17 points. The Gators claimed their second win of the match.

    Set 4: 25-13 Gators

    The Aggies came back from the third set ready to take a lead. They were up 4-2 when the Gators gained their traction and the set tied up at the 5-5 mark. Coming out of the tie, the Gators were able to lurch forward with a 10-2 run to put them up 14-7. The Aggies scored a couple of points to try to reduce the lead over them, but the Gators took off again and continued to widen the gap between the two. The Gators were able to create a massive 12 point gap as they reached the final point of the set. With this thrid victory, the Gators cinched the match win.

    Leaderboard

    Kills

    Ceasar, 14

    Hall, 13

    Forte, 12

    Blocks

    Forte, 5

    Carlton, 5

    Ceasar, 5

    Aces

    Monserez, 4

    Hall, 2

    McKissock, 2

    Digs

    McKissock, 18

    Ceasar, 13

    Monserez, 10

    What’s Next?

    This was the last regular season game for the Gators. The next time the Gators will take a court will be in the NCAA volleyball tournament to try their shot at bringing home the title.

  • MBB: Lon Kruger bids farewell to college basketball

    MBB: Lon Kruger bids farewell to college basketball

    Photo by Doug Pensinger / Getty Images


    Former head coach of the Florida Gators men’s basketball team Lon Kruger announced his retirement from college basketball Thursday.

    Kruger, who served as the head of the Oklahoma Sooners since 2011, met with his players to tell them he was stepping away from the sport, Jon Rothstein said on Twitter.

    https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/1375151156196954122?s=20

    Kruger first worked as a head coach in 1982 at Texas-Pan American. Two jobs later, he took over at Florida in 1990.

    After a 46-43 record and no tournament appearances through three years, Florida broke through under Kruger in 1994. The Gators won 29 games, the most in school history at the time, and reached their first Final Four.

    Florida began the next season 10th in the AP Poll and reached as high as sixth before finishing 17-13 and losing to Iowa State in the opening round of the tournament, 64-61.

    Kruger left for Illinois after the 1996 season, and he was replaced by a relatively unknown coach named Billy Donovan.

    Kruger finished with an 104-80 record in Gainesville, the fifth-most wins and the third-highest win percentage in Florida history. He’s one of only four Gator coaches with multiple tournament appearances and the only one not named Donovan to reach the Final Four.

    Kruger coached 1106 games with six different teams, finishing with a 674-432 record. He reached the NCAA Tournament 20 times in 35 seasons. He’s one of just three coaches to reach the tournament with five different schools, and reached the Final Four again with the Sooners in 2016.

  • SB: UCF Hands Florida Its Third Loss In Orlando Walk-off Finish

    SB: UCF Hands Florida Its Third Loss In Orlando Walk-off Finish

    Photo by Brian Fox / ChompTalk.com


    Carrying a 6-5 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning, Florida right-hander Elizabeth Hightower entered the circle in hopes of retiring three UCF batters and knocking off its in-state foe while earning her fourth save this season.

    Instead, she hit the leadoff batter and allowed an RBI-double that tied the game before UCF catcher Karissa Ornelas belted an opposite-field, two-run, walk-off home run into the palm trees beyond the left-field wall.

    After earning SEC Pitcher of the Week Honors Tuesday, Hightower picked up her first loss in Orlando Wednesday night as the No. 5 Gators fell to the No. 22 Knights 8-6.

    UCF wasted no time making its mark on the scoreboard; its first two batters of the game walked and doubled off Florida right-hander Natlalie Lugo to give the Knights an early 1-0 advantage.

    The Gators responded well in the top of the third inning by scoring five runs on three walks, a single and a pair of doubles courtesy of third baseman Charla Echols (4) and catcher Julia Cottrill (6). But Lugo allowed a leadoff single and back-to-back homers in the bottom half of the inning to cut Florida’s lead to 5-4.

    With no outs and the bases empty, Gators southpaw Katie Chronister came in for relief but got off to a shaky start. The fifth-year Gainesville native gave up two singles and a walk before a sacrifice fly tied the game at five.

    Scoreless fourth and fifth frames led to Florida breaking the tie in the top of the sixth. Cottrill stayed hot with a leadoff single up the middle — marking her third straight two-hit game — and the Gators loaded the bases for second baseman Hannah Adams who poked a sacrifice fly into foul territory in left field.

    Hightower took over on the rubber in the bottom of the sixth and struck out two batters en route to a 12-pitch, one-two-three inning. Florida went three up, three down in the top of the seventh before UCF prevailed in walk-off fashion in the bottom half.

    Final (R/H/E)

    No. 5 Florida: 6 / 6 / 1

    No. 22 UCF : 8 / 9 / 1

    Pitching Decision

    Win: Hightower (10-1)

    Loss: White (11-1)

    Individual Stats (season totals)

    Lugo: 2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (1.94 ERA; 1.02 WHIP)

    Chronister: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (1.37 ERA; 0.75 WHIP)

    Hightower: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (0.99 ERA; 0.67 WHIP)

    Adams: 1-2, 1 RBI, 1 BB (.427 BA)

    Lindaman: 0-2, 1 R, 2 BB (.328 BA)

    Echols: 1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B (.408 BA)

    A. Goelz: 0-3, 1 R, 1 BB (.266 BA)

    Matthews: 0-2, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB (.250 BA)

    Cottrill: 2-3, 2 RBI, 1 2B (.270 BA)

    Hoover: 1-2, 1 R, 1 RBI (.298 BA)

    K. Goelz: 0-2 (.222 BA)

    Lindsey: 0-3 (.377 BA)

    Weekend SEC Showdown

    The Gators will return to Gainesville ahead of a three-game conference series against the No. 13 LSU Tigers. Friday’s contest at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium will start at 6 p.m.

  • VB: Gators Sweep Texas A&M to Open Series

    VB: Gators Sweep Texas A&M to Open Series

    Photo by Benjamin Fox / ChompTalk.com


    The No. 7 Florida Gators defeated the Texas A&M Aggies Wednesday night. The final score of the match was 3-0, and the Gators advanced to an overall record of 18-3.

    Coming into the match, the Gators had suffered their first loss in 12 weeks after a clean sweep by Kentucky last week. In this match up, the Gators had only suffered three losses in the regular season, meanwhile the Aggies held a 9-5 record.

    Set 1: 25-23 Gators

    The Aggies jumped out to an early advantage over the Gators going up two points at the 4-2 mark. The Aggies were able to hold a consistent lead going into the middle portion of the set. Going into the first timeout of the set, the Aggies were up by three with a score of 15-12. The Gators called a timeout after the Aggies had gained their largest lead of the night when they went up 19-15. Coming out of the timeout, the Gators worked to diminish the Aggies lead, and they tied up the game at 19-19 . However, the Aggies regained a slight advantage of two points and forced another Gator timeout at the 22-20 mark. When play resumed, the Gators were able to pull ahead 24-22, and this time, the Aggies called a timeout as the Gators reached match point. Despite the Aggies attempts to reduce the lead, the Gators cinched the first set win of the night.

    Set 2: 25-19 Gators

    The Gators came into the second set with the early lead as they went up 5-2. However, the Aggies worked to tick away the Gators lead by coming within one point of the Gators before the Gators took off again. The Gators then went on an impressive 7-1 run to go up 12-4 over the Aggies. To no avail by the Aggies, the Gators were able to create a 10 point difference with a score of 19-9. The Aggies came within five points of the Gators at 23-18, but the Gators finished the set strong and added another win to their belt.

    Set 3: 25-20 Gators

    Similar to the second set, the Gators came out and took the early lead as they went up 5-0 over the Aggies. The Aggies worked to regain their ground, but the Gators were able to keep a consistent lead over the Aggies. The set came to a one-point difference after the Aggies completed a 3-0 run to make the score 11-10. The Aggies were able to trail closely behind the Gators for the next few point exchanges, but the Gators were able to lurch forward once again as they went on a 4-0 run to go up 16-12. The Aggies once again tried to reduce the lead and came within two points at the 20-18 mark. However it wasn’t enough for the Aggies as the Gators were able to finish out the set with a five point lead.

    Leaderboard

    Kills

    Hall, 9

    Ceasar, 7

    Carlton, 6

    Forte, 5

    Digs

    Hall, 7

    Ceasar, 6

    McKissock, 4

    Monserez, 3

    Blocks

    Ceasar, 4

    Forte, 3

    Carlton, 2

    Dooley, 2

    Aces

    Monserez, 2

    Carlton, 2

    McKissock, 1

    What’s Next?

    The Gators return Thursday night at 7 p.m. to take on the Aggies again in College Station. This will be the final match of regular season play for the Gators.

  • MBB: Tre Mann declares for NBA Draft

    MBB: Tre Mann declares for NBA Draft

    Photo by Brett Wilhelm / Getty Images


    Sophomore guard Tre Mann, the Gators leading scorer for the 2020-21 season, declared for the NBA Draft Wednesday.

    The announcement came three days after the season-ending loss to Oral Roberts in the NCAA Tournament, in a statement released on Twitter.

    https://twitter.com/tre2mann3/status/1374731233775747072?s=20

    Mann led the Gators with 16.0 points and 3.5 assists per game, as well as pulling down 5.6 rebounds and swiping 1.4 steals per game. He caught fire to end the season, scoring 19 or more points in all but one of Florida’s final seven games. The stretch included a 28-point second half in an SEC Tournament loss to Tennessee.

    Mann took a huge leap from his freshman year. His first season in Gainesville, he averaged just 5.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 0.7 assists.

    After the transfer of Andrew Nembhard, Mann became the team’s main ball handler. From his first to second seasons, Mann increased his minutes from 17.8 to 32.4 per game. He also evolved into a much more efficient player, shooting 45.9% from the field and 40.2% from three on 12.1 field goal attempts per game. A year ago, he shot 35.6% from the court and 27.5% from deep on just 5.5 attempts per game.

    The question for Mann this upcoming offseason won’t be if he gets drafted, but where to and how early. He rose all the way to 15th in ESPN’s NBA Big Board.

    Mann declared for the NBA Draft a year ago as well but preserved his eligibility upon doing so before withdrawing from the draft to return to Florida just two and a half months later.

    Without Mann, Florida’s backcourt will retain Tyree Appleby and sharpshooter Noah Locke for 2021-22, as well as sophomore Ques Glover and freshman Niels Lane. Head coach Mike White will also welcome Kowacie Reeves to Gainesville, an incoming four-star recruit from Macon, Georgia. Reeves, weighing in at 6-foot-5 and 180 pounds, ranks 78th on ESPN’s Top 100.

  • SB: Weekly Wrap-Up

    SB: Weekly Wrap-Up

    Photo by Brian Fox / ChompTalk.com


    Following an exhibition loss to Team USA, Florida defeated North Dakota at home before traveling to Starkville, Mississippi, for its first SEC road series this season. The Gators swept Mississippi State and outscored the Bulldogs 19-0. Florida’s pitching staff didn’t allow an earned run as an error on first baseman Kendyl Lindaman sparked North Dakota’s lone run. The Gators were efficient in the circle; they struck out 22 batters and walked only four.

    Offensively, the Gators made solid contact, — they hit 35-110 (.318) — but their power surge elevated the offense to a 30-run week. Florida extended its home run streak to a season-long five games.

    In Wednesday’s matchup against North Dakota, Florida freshman Emily Wilkie hit her second career home run before junior Kinsey Goelz took her former team yard for her first two career home runs. The Mississippi State transfer took Bulldogs right-hander Annie Willis yard Friday in Starkville — accounting for the lone run of the game — and duplicated it Sunday with a two-run shot. In Saturday’s contest, Florida senior second baseman Hannah Adams and fifth-year first baseman Kendyl Lindaman hit back-to-back dingers to cap off an explosive seventh inning.

    _______________

    Overall Record: 21-2 (.913; 16-1 at home, 5-1 on the road)

    SEC Record: 5-1 (T-2 with No. 4 Alabama; trailing 6-0 No. 15 Arkansas)

    National Ranking (USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll): 5

    Last Week:

    • 3/16 vs USA (exhibition) — L, 4-0
    • 3/17 vs North Dakota — W, 7-1
    • 3/19 @ Mississippi St. — W, 1-0
    • 3/20 @ Mississippi St. — W, 10-0
    • 3/21 @ Mississippi St. — W, 8-0

    Pitcher of the Week: RHP Elizabeth Hightower (Jr.)

    • 3-0, 15 IP, 9 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 12 K (0.00 ERA, 0.73 WHIP)
    • Threw two complete-game shutouts @ Mississippi State
    • Picked up third save this season

    Player of the Week: 1B Kendyl Lindaman (fifth-year)

    • 7-15, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR (3)
    • 4-game hitting streak

    Upcoming Week:

    • Wednesday, 3/24 @ No. 22 UCF @ 6 p.m.
    • Friday 3/26 vs No. 13 LSU @ 6 p.m.
    • Saturday, 3/27 vs No. 13 LSU @ 5 p.m. (airing on ESPN)
    • Sunday, 3/28 vs No. 13 LSU @ 11 a.m.
  • The Gridiron Growl Podcast: Clifford Taylor Interview and Fire Mike White?

    The Gridiron Growl Podcast: Clifford Taylor Interview and Fire Mike White?

    Check out the latest episode of The Gridiron Growl Podcast as David Soderquist, Brian Fox, Jake Hitt, and Ryan Haley interview former Gators walk-on tight end Clifford Taylor IV. Taylor shares his journey to the UF football team, his thoughts on position-mate Kyle Pitts, the guys to watch for in 2021, and much more.

    The guys then discuss March Madness as Florida got bounced from the NCAA Tournament by Oral Roberts (who?). The discussion becomes one of analytics and whether it would make sense to fire head coach Mike White.

    Click play on the following audio player to listen to this week’s episode of The Gridiron Growl Podcast:

    You can also follow The Gridiron Growl Podcast on the following platforms:

  • Outraged Gators fans flood Twitter after Oral Roberts loss

    Outraged Gators fans flood Twitter after Oral Roberts loss

    Photo by Maddie Meyer / Getty Images

    Florida lost a heartbreaking upset to Oral Roberts on Sunday night, falling victim to the 15-seed Cinderella to bring its 2020-21 season to an anti-climatic end.

    While the Gators were left to ponder the end of their season and Tre Mann weighed his professional draft stock. As the scene in Indianapolis grew somber, Gators fans all around the world voiced their disappointment and anger on social media, with Twitter taking the brunt of the vigor.

    The game ended just after 9:45 pm. A little over an hour later, the official tweet from the team’s Twitter account had 509 likes against 468 comments and 193 quote tweets.

    The most popular criticisms fell on head coach Mike White. “Fire Mike White” trended on Twitter. The most popular comment on the team’s Twitter account begged for White’s firing, gathering almost 200 likes after little more than an hour. On Instagram, the team’s most recent post contained four separate comments calling for White’s firing with over 100 likes, with dozens of others littering the comment section.

    Faceless fans and comment sections weren’t the only critics, either. Derek Tyson, a former SEC recruiting analyst, said with on no uncertain terms that Florida basketball needed a new man at the helm.

    First Coast News sports anchor Ben Murphy released a video on Twitter, unloading on White’s lack of SEC Championships, wins over Florida State or players drafted.

    White is under contract for the Gators through the 2024-25 season after he signed a two-year extension prior to the 2019-20 season.

    Despite the criticism, NBA player and Gator legend Al Horford voiced his support for his old program. He told the players to keep their heads up and congratulated the Golden Eagles.