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  • SB: Gators power past Mercer for weekend sweep

    SB: Gators power past Mercer for weekend sweep

    Photo by Benjamin Fox / ChompTalk.com

    After a disappointing start in conference play, the Gators were allotted the opportunity to gain some confidence against an inferior opponent.

    Florida softball faced the Mercer Bears for a two-game set in Gainesville. The Bears were little competition for Florida, as the Gators blasted the team from Macon, GA thanks to an exhibition of power that they displayed.

    SATURDAY:

    FLORIDA 10, MERCER 2

    RUNS HITS ERRORS
    MERCER 2 2 0
    GATORS 10 10 1

    Gainesville, FL – The Gators improved to 26-6 thanks to an offensive barrage led by catcher Kendyl Lindaman.

    Jordan Roberts actually got the scoring started with a solo homer in the bottom of the second. Jaimie Hoover scored Sophia Reynoso with an RBI-triple later in the frame and came around to score on Cheyenne Lindsey’s groundout.

    In the third inning, Lindaman crushed a three-run homer to left that scored both Hannah Adams and Amanda Lorenz. Hoover added another RBI in the inning on a single up the middle that made it a 7-0 game.

    Florida added three more in the fourth on (of course) another three run bomb by Lindaman. The 10-0 lead put Mercer at risk of the run-rule.

    With the game out of reach, head coach Tim Walton was able to empty the bench and the bullpen. Kelly Barnhill started the game, but only faced the Bears lineup one time through. Barnhill recorded seven stikeouts in three innings of work and didn’t allow a baserunner. Natalie Lugo relieved her for one inning and struck out the side before freshman Danni Farley took the circle in the fifth. Farley didn’t last long. She allowed two hits and two runs (in addition to a walk) in 0.1 innings of work. Katie Chronister came in and ended the game with a pair of groundballs on only three pitches.

    Fast Stats:

    • Kendyl Lindaman finished 2-3 with 2 HR and 6 RBI
    • Jaimie Hoover, starting at third base for the first time in 2019, went 2-3 with 2 RBI and a run scored.
    • Jade Caraway went 1-3 in the leadoff spot, reaching on an infield single.
    • Amanda Lorenz finished 1-1 but walk twice and scored two runs.

    W: Barnhill (17-3)

    L: Bailey Pattison (7-8)

    __________

    SUNDAY:

    FLORIDA 9, MERCER 3

    RUNS HITS ERRORS
    MERCER 3 5 1
    GATORS 9 9 0

    Gainesville, FL- The Gators completed a two game sweep of Mercer behind four homers, a common theme for the entire weekend. Elizabeth Hightower pitched three innings before being relieved by Natalie Lugo who earned the win.

    The Gators offense got started early on Sunday with three runs in the first inning highlighted by Kendyl Lindaman’s two-run homer. For Lindaman it was her seventh homer in the last seven games.

    The Gators added a run in the third inning on Danielle Romanello’s fourth homer of the season that stretched the lead to 4-0.

    Mercer got on the scoreboard in the fourth after a fielder’s choice ground out led to two runs being scored. It looked like Florida was going to get out of the inning unscathed with a double-play, but the ball was mishandled and two runs crossed the plate.

    Jordan Roberts extended the lead to 7-2 on Jordan Roberts’ blast that went over the scoreboard in left center.

    Mercer got another one back in the fifth, but the Gators pounced once again in the sixth. Hannah Adams started the inning with a triple down the first base line and Amanda Lorenz scored her on a sac fly to left. Then Lindaman struck again. Lindaman connected with a high solo blast that landed just past the left field fence and the Gators owned a 9-3 lead.

    Fast Stats:

    • Elizabeth Hightower’s final line: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 K, 1 BB
    • Natalie Lugo’s final line: 4 IP, 4 H, 3 R (2 ER), 8 K, 2 BB
    • Kendyl Lindaman finished 2-3 with 2 HR, 3 RBI and a walk
    • Hannah Adams went 3-4 and finished a homer short of the cycle.

    W: Lugo (7-3)

    L: Lynne Gardner (6-7)

    __________

    Florida moves to 27-6 overall and will face Bethune-Cookman on Wednesday. Florida will then re-enter league play with a three game set at Ole Miss.

  • WGYM: Gators Excel, Fall to LSU at SEC Championship

    WGYM: Gators Excel, Fall to LSU at SEC Championship

    In what essentially became an LSU home meet, Gator Gymnastics had an incredible night at SEC Championships in New Orleans, though in the end, they finished second overall. Florida had a strong first two rotations, leading by two tenths after the first half of the meet. But after some minor issues on floor and a few missed opportunities on vault, LSU was able to overcome the deficit and take the title by just over 0.1.

    The Gators began their night on bars and were clearly amped up and ready to go. Amelia Hundley, Savannah Schoenherr and Megan Skaggs all scored 9.9 or higher, but the final two routines were not able to build on the strong scoring in the 2-4 slots. LSU started on vault as the top seed of the competition, earning three 9.9 scores of their own from Sarah Finnegan, Ruby Harrold and McKenna Kelley. Neither team nailed every landing, but the Gators’ aggressive attack and dynamic release skills were able to edge out LSU’s performance on vault, earning Florida half a tenth more to take the lead.

    Beam was even better for Florida, as the team set an SEC record for highest beam total in the competitions history. Three gators earned 9.95 to tie for the event title: Skaggs, Rachel Gowey and Alyssa Baumann. Hundley also earned a 9.9 in the lead off position, setting the rest of her team up for great scores. Head coach Jenny Rowland praised her teams passion and attack on the event, saying, “their confidence and laser focus was just indescribable. To see that fight, to see that passion from them just gave me goosebumps the whole rotation.” Meanwhile, LSU went to bars. Their first few routines got stuck at 9.85 or lower, but Kennedy Edney, Lexi Priessman and Sarah Finnegan all stepped up and scored progressively higher above 9.9 at the end of the rotation. Despite the Tigers best effort’s, the Gators pulled away at the halfway point with a 0.2 lead.

    Floor is where things started to come apart. A botched two-salto Pass meant Skaggs was limited to just a 9.525, while freshman Nya Reed overdid her double layout just a tad and went out of bounds. Meanwhile, LSU also knocked it out of the park on beam, with A 9.9 from Christina Desiderio and the leadoff spot and a 9.95 from Finnegan in the anchor spot. After the third rotation, LSU had begun to close the gap, but not by much. Florida hung onto its lead thanks to stellar performances from the back half of the lineup: Boren, Thomas and Baumann.

    It all came down to the final rotation, where both Florida and LSU went to the events where they have struggled this season: vault and floor, respectively. Compared to the beginning of the season, Florida is much improved on vault. However, compared to the last time they competed, the gators did not live up to expectations. The opening fulls from Skaggs and Alexander were not as secure on the landings, and Schoenherr had a big hop. The one bright spot was Thomas, who came so close to sticking her Yurchenko 1.5, earning a 9.95 and winning the vault title for the meet. LSU, on the other hand, continued its upward trend and made quite the statement on floor. All of their counting scores were 9.875 or higher, and Finnegan earned a perfect-10 for her elegant, technically sound routine. Though she was not the last performer, because Florida had finished on vault quite quickly, the deal was sealed after receiving Finnegan’s score. Kelly was then able to perform without pressure, almost like a victory lap. The gators ended up a mere 0.15 behind the tigers, earning second as a team in addition to many individual accolades.

    After the meet, Rowland could not emphasize enough how proud she was of her team. “There are still little things here and little things there, but overall I think they handled themselves very well… this is something that we’re going to take away and remember for a little bit. I think it’s only going to help push us to get that much better before the end of the season.”

    When asked about what the team will take back to the gym with them in practice leading up to regionals, Rowland said that she didn’t feel there was one thing in particular that is keeping them down. “really it’s just everybody putting it together. We need to make sure that our first person up sets the tone for the event… there’s always little things to work on. But nothing out of the ordinary, and nothing that I feel like this team won’t be ready to get back in the gym and improve upon.”

    The Gators find out Monday where they will head for the regionals competition, which will determine the competitors at nationals. They will likely maintain their No. 4 ranking in the country, which we expect will likely send them to compete at Oregon State University.

    One fact to keep in mind as post season continues: there will only be four teams on the floor for finals at nationals this year. If that field was decided by the top scorers at conference championships this weekend across the country, LSU and Florida would both make the cut. The title fight is not over yet – but after seeing what LSU is now capable of, Florida can be ready.

  • MBB: Gators offense stalls, season comes to end

    MBB: Gators offense stalls, season comes to end

    The Cinderella run has come to an end. Florida falls short against Michigan by a 64-49 final.

    A lack of aggression was a key in the loss as too often Florida settled for deep, off balance three pointers late in the shot clock.

    But it wasn’t that way the entire game. The Gators only trailed by four at the halftime break at 32-28.

    However, the Wolverines erupted out of the intermission, scoring the first eleven points of the half and took a 43-28 point lead.

    Florida was able to get within six thanks to a strong defensive effort that saw Michigan make just three field goals over ten minutes in the middle of the second half. But free throws and the inability of the Gators offense just couldn’t close the gap further.

    A KeVaughn Allen three-pointer with 7:22 left cut the deficit to seven at 51-44, but the Wolverines went on a 13-5 run to end the game. Immediately after the Allen three, freshman Andrew Nembhard turned the ball over twice.

    Fast stats:

    • Jalen Hudson was the only Gator in double figures scoring, finishing with 11 points on 4-15 from the floor.
    • KeVaughn Allen added 8 points, but didn’t get in the scoring column until a mid-range jumper fell midway through the second half. Allen also hit an inconsequential three pointer in the final minute.
    • The Wolverines finished with a 34-16 edge in the paint and outrebounded Florida 42-29 in the game.
    • Florida fouled Michigan shooters THREE times behind the three point line.

    What’s next:

    Florida’s season has come to an abrupt halt. The Gators have a young team loaded with talented underclassmen. The ride is over for the three seniors, Kevarrius Hayes, Jalen Hudson, and KeyVaughn Allen.

    Florida has a highly ranked class coming in led by five-star recruits Tre Mann and Scottie Lewis.

    Barring any unforeseen attrition, the Gators have one scholarship available and should probably look to an immediate impact grad-transfer big.

    Follow us throughout the off-season as we keep you up-to-date on all things Florida basketball.

  • WGYM Liveblog: SEC Championships Session Two, feat. No. 4 Florida Gators

    WGYM Liveblog: SEC Championships Session Two, feat. No. 4 Florida Gators

    After a fun session one where Alabama set the bar higher than expected, session two of the SEC Championship is ramping up for a 7:00 P.M. C.T. start here in New Orleans, La. More seats are starting to fill here in the Smoothie King Center, largely with purple and gold thanks to our proximity to LSU. Warmups are well underway, and the Gators are raring to go.

    https://twitter.com/mycluttereddesk/status/1109586073154392064

    Your lineups tonight feature very similar squads to those the Gators fielded two weeks ago against Penn State, with Megan Skaggs in all four events and Alexander vaulting in the two spot. The few changes here are Trinity Thomas moving to the anchor slot on bars, a move fans have advocated all season, and the return of Rachel Gowey on beam after a six-week rest due to an injury flare-up. Additionally, the floor squad has returned to its normal 4-5-6 order of Boren-Thomas-Baumann after briefly changing it up for senior night to allow Boren to anchor.

    The Gators will have to go head-to-head with the Tigers, but their track record is good: in their last and only matchup this season, Florida beat LSU in Baton Rouge by 0.075. If it can repeat tonight, Florida’s path should otherwise be fairly clear to the top. However, Georgia will not be forgotten, and it certainly won’t have forgotten the fact that it beat Florida at home just a month ago by the exact same margin. Going by the season so far, it would then follow that Georgia should win, Florida second and LSU third – but none of these teams are giving up that top spot without a fight.

    7:15pm: We’re entering the final warmup rotation before the meet starts. Tweet me @mycluttereddesk or @chomptalk and let me know who you guys want to hear from after tonight’s meet! Send me all your Gator love and show me your watch setups from home, and we’ll feature them here – lord knows there’s not enough Florida representation in this arena. Get ready, T-minus 45 minutes!

    7:40pm: It’s starting to get loud in here, the LSU crowd has really turned out. The Gator cheering section is on the opposite side of the arena from me, and it’s sadly really small. Champs next year are in Duluth, Ga. so maybe more folks will be able to travel. Still, we all know how loud Gator fans can be when they want to – I’m sure the girls will feel the love when they hit the floor.

    7:00pm: Touch warmups are getting ready to start! They’re showing each team’s hype videos – Kentucky’s uses Little Mix’s “Salute,” I’m in love.

    7:07pm: Boren, UB: Tkachev, nice. Bail is solid. DLO a little close to the bar, stuck!

    Finnegan, VT: FTY, stuck cold. Exactly what they wanted

    Snead, BB: Roundoff double full dismount, a little adjustment. Missed the rest but looked like a hit.

    Poland, FX: She’s having so much fun out there, such a dynamic performer.

    7:08pm: Harrold, VT: Y1.5, teeny hop forward. One of her better ones.

    Hundley, UB: Maloney to pak, good. Van Leeuwen, little leg sep as usual. Full in dismount, stuck! Staggered feet on the landing, but they didn’t move a muscle.

    Dickson, BB: Sticks her 1.5 dismount, that’s all I saw from here.

    Kelley, VT: Handspring pike half, looked stuck from here?? Maybe a little up down but she stayed in place. Damn.

    7:10pm: Schoenherr, UB: Jaeger is good. Bail good, a little undefined in the handstand. Stuck dismount!

    Priessman, VT: Y1.5, small hop to the side.

    Stuart, FX: Missed this entirely, heard a small gasp at one point so there might have been a miss. Score will tell us. Oh yeah, replay showed her sitting a pass.

    7:12pm: Florida has changed their lineup order, Gowey is anchoring now.

    Skaggs, UB: Tkachev to pak is so good as always.  DLO stuck! Fireeeee.

    Magee, BB: Looks like a hit but missed most of it. Replay shows a hit series. Dismount was waaay off to the side but she pulled it out somehow.

    Edwards, VT: Y1.5, bounce forward.

    Warren, FX: Front double full hit. Something happened with her second pass, crooked or something and she sat, I think. Or grazed the ground. Third pass hit.

    7:14pm: Edney, VT: Y1.5, small step forward.

    Thomas, UB: Maloney to pak is gorgeous. Van Leeuwen, legs glued together. DLO, aw she scoots back on the salute.

    Oakley, BB: Bhs loso super secure. Split jump, bobbles and hesitates. Goes again, split to ring, bigger bobble but keeps both feet on the beam. Cartwheel gainer full, looks stuck from here.

    7:16pm: Gowey, UB: Ray, much better than in practice yesterday. Pak is good. A little shy on last handstand, DLO slide back.

    Hyland, FX: Double pike to open, good. Dance elements are lovely and extended. She’s so fun to watch, she sits right in the pocket of the beat. 1.5 to front lay to close is good too.

    R Baumann, BB: Side aerial loso, wobble but stays on. Wolf hop to switch side, that’s different. Roundoff double full bounce back.

    7:19pm: Korth, FX: Full in to open is stellar, great amplitude. Rudi loso, so fun. Double pike to close, little bounce back on the landing but stays in bounds fine.

    Vega, BB: Leap series, especially the ring looks a little timid. Front aerial to split is lovely, there’s the moonwalk, little cheer from the crowd. Bhs loso, locks it in. Side aerial back full, stuck! Georgia keeping it close.

    7:22pm: Dukes, FX: Interesting to see her anchor instead of Korth. Double pike to open is good. Combo pass showed good control. Double back, little cowboying and a step forward. She’s celebrating after her finish, she’s so excited just to have had a clean routine.

    AFTER ONE: Florida 49.425, LSU 49.375, Georgia 49.050, Kentucky 48.625

    Despite some early stellar landings for LSU on vault, Florida leads after one! Not by much, though – just a 0.05 margin. Georgia and Kentucky have some ground to make up if they don’t want Alabama to end up third overall and show them up.

    Finnegan, Harrold and Kelley tie the 9.9 mark set by session one for the vault lead. Skaggs will take the new lead on bars at 9.925, while Graber’s mark on beam from session one will hold at 9.95, as will her and Guerra’s 9.925 on floor.

    7:32pm: Durante, UB: Jaeger and pak are both great. Dismount stuck from what I can tell from the crowd.

    Hundley, BB: Series secure. Cat leap to switch side great. Roundoff 1.5, stuck! A good start for them.

    Hits from Kwan and Dukes, both FTYs.

    Davis, FX: Came super close to going OOB on first pass, don’t remember what it was. Double back was good, chest a little low. Combo pass nice.

    7:34pm: Ferrer, UB: Jaeger good, transitioned fine. DLO, slide back on salute.

    Davis, VT: FTY, really short and chest down, had to step forward.

    Skaggs, BB: Double wolf clean. Switch to split, good extension. Series secure. Cat leap to side aerial to back full stuck!

    R Baumann, FX: First pass was good. Double tuck, big energy and slides back into the lunge, trying to control it. Missed her last pass but she hit.

    7:36pm: Hyland, VT: FTY, good.

    Harrold, UB: Zuchold good. Jaeger huge air! Double front dismount, one step forward.

    Stuart, VT: Y1.5, one of her best, just a small step forward.

    Boren, BB: Gainer front toss, solid as a rock. Bhs loso, arm swing to the side but snaps them down like it was on purpose. Gainer loso great. Stuck gainer full I think? Hard to tell from here.

    Edney, UB: Hindorff, not as much distance from the bar as usual. Bail is fine. Stuck dismount from the crowd chants.

    Korth, VT: Y1.5 basically stuck! Go girl!

    7:38pm: Snead, FX: Double pike to open, nice. Rudi to shushunova (straddle jump to dive onto the floor on her belly) is great. I don’t love this routine on her but oh well. Whip through to double back, very good.

    Priessman, UB: Tkachev to pak is good, less leg sep than usual. DLO, slide back.

    Gowey, BB: Switch leap to split jump, gorgeous extension. So glad she’s back! Bhs loso loso, so steady. Front aerial to sissone, lovely. Gainer full stuck! What a great return to this lineup.

    7:41pm: Lukacs, FX: I missed all of this except her combo pass because of Finnegan, but she hit.

    Finnegan, UB: Ray gorgeous. Bail is solid, great position. DLO, holds the stick with her toes. What a pro. LSU is not backing down.

    Thomas, BB: Switch half to beat, nice. One-arm bhs loso, little arm swing, maybe a bobble? Front aerial to wolf jump, solid. Roundoff double full, bounce back.

    7:44pm: Dickson, FX: Double arabian, one of her good ones, super upright when she lands. 1.5 to front lay, dances right out. Totally playing to the crowd on this one, not just the Georgia fans either. Double tuck to close, very nice.

    Baumann, BB: Bhs loso, good. No Onodi, probably a safe choice. Switch to switch half, gorgeous positions in the air. Front aerial lovely. Roundoff 1.5 stuck! Big fist pump and a defiant Gator chomp toward their cheering section as she comes off the podium, she’s so stoked.

    Vega, FX: She has such a presence when she steps on the floor, the place was quiet waiting for her music to start. Full in! So pleased that’s made a comeback in her set. It’s better than it used to be too, it’s not scary anymore! 1.5 to front lay, just one step out and she locks it down. Double pike to close, a little short but pops her chest right up, just one step forward.

    AFTER TWO: Florida 99.050, LSU 98.850, Georgia 98.350, Kentucky 97.750

    What a rotation! Beam was absolutely lights out for the Gators, though the judges may have been a little lenient here and there. LSU is still keeping it close, only two tenths behind after a stellar end to its bars rotation with Edney, Priessman and Finnegan all going 9.9 or higher.

    Mollie Korth of Kentucky takes the lead on vault with a 9.925 and Finnegan takes bars at 9.95!

    7:57pm: Magee, VT: FTY, stuck but a little forward in her landing.

    Missed Stuart on bars entirely. Replay showed her stellar FTDLO dismount though.

    Skaggs, FX: Double pike to open, a little forward but plays it off. Rudi second pass, good. I love this routine, it’s so jazzy and fun. Comes really close to OOB on the last pass, unsure if she went out or not.

    Desiderio, BB: Definitely a hit and stuck her dismount. Missed the rest.

    7:69pm: Ward, VT: Tsuk full, step back.

    Vega, VT: FTY, bounce back.

    Nixon, UB: Hit, saw none of it.

    Dean, BB: Leap series is clean, series was good from the last element I saw. Front aerial, secure. Side aerial back full stuck! Crowd goes nuts.

    Hundley, FX: Whip double tuck is great this week, super controlled landing. Double pike second pass, good. 1.5 to front lay, dances out to finish. A reset for the Gators – I think Skaggs had a start value issue, she got a 9.525.

    Kwan, UB: Hit, missed most of it. Sorry if I’m not paying much attention to Kentucky, they’re kinda out of it at this point.

    8:01pm: Dickson, VT: Omelianchik, big bounds forward, comes onto the second landing mat she’s so far.

    Durante, BB: Leap series nice and extended. Side aerial back full stuck! Missed her series but looks like a hit.

    Dukes, UB: Release was good. DLO dismount, didn’t see the landing.

    Lukacs, VT: DTY, small adjustment on the landing but one of her better ones.

    8:03pm: Reed, FX: DLO and goes OOB, dang. Front lay to Rudi, good control. Bringing the sass in here. Double pike to close, good.

    Snead, VT: Y1.5, small hop on landing.

    Hyland, UB: Tkachev is nice and floaty. Bail is good. Full in maybe stuck? Missed the landing.

    8:05pm: Edney, BB: Series solid. Switch to switch side, good. Piked front toss is so great, lands standing straight up. Stuck dismount! LSU sees that opening Skaggs left and is rushing through it…

    Korth, UB: Jaeger awesome, bail solid. FTDLO dismount, small slide back.

    8:06pm: Boren, FX: DLO, pops out the lunge because she can. 1.5 to front lay, so much control, just the single step out of it. Slocum is right in the corner where she does the hip bump to dance right to her. Double back to close, maybe a little too much energy but keeps her front foot down.

    Campbell, BB: Series is good. Front aerial to sissone is good. Switch to switch half is lovely. Roundoff double full, slide back.

    8:09pm: Thomas, FX: These two greats going at the same time should be illegal. DLO is a BEAUTY. Missed if she did the full or double full this week, but either way the combo pass was nice. Double pike, a bounce back. Such an electric routine.

    Finnegan, BB: Single wolf is great. Series, gorgeous. Switch to switch half, nice. Side somi, good. Side aerial to back full, maybe a scoot back? Hard to see from here and they’re showing Trin on the big screen.

    8:11pm: Baumann, FX: Double tuck to open, layyys it back like she’s in slow mo. 1.5 to front full, one step and pops the hip out as she flicks her hands over her head. Yes. Double pike to close, just a small lunge there, honestly could’ve stuck it but I’m not mad. Team is going bonkers.

    AFTER THREE: Florida 148.475, LSU 148.300, Georgia 147.525, Kentucky 146.950

    It’s gonna be a close one, y’all. LSU starts to close the gap, but Florida still leads by 0.175. Both teams are now going to the events where they’ve struggled this season, so it’ll be a close one.

    Like I was starting to say before this rotation started, Korth of Kentucky takes the lead on vault with a 9.925 and Finnegan takes bars at 9.95! Beam is now tied with Graber and Finnegan at 9.95, and floor has been taken by Thomas and Baumann at 9.95. All hard marks to beat.

    8:23pm: Skaggs, VT: FTY, smalllllllest of shuffles on the landing.

    Roberts, UB: Definitely a hit, DLO stuck.

    Harrold, FX: Front double full was good. Double pike solid, good control. So electric in this arena. 1.5 to front lay, all the way to the line but doesn’t cross.

    Missed Warren entirely, apologies.

    8:25pm: Alexander, VT: FTY, single step back.

    Lukacs, UB: Tkachev, fine. She is not a bars girl but she’s making this work. Pak, big leg sep and maybe a knee bend. DLO stuck!

    8:27pm: Reed, VT: Y1.5, small hop forward, one of her better ones.

    Angeny, BB: Side aerial back tuck full dismount, missed the rest, but looks like a hit.

    8:28pm: Thomas, VT: Y1.5, little shuffle forward

    Snead, UB: Tkachev was good. Bail solid. Short last handstand. DLO slide forward

    Desiderio, FX: DLO stuck! Big cheers from the crowd. Front tuck through to double tuck, nice. Double pike to close, chest a little low but pops it right up.

    8:29pm: Schoenherr, VT: Y1.5, small hop? I glanced at beam and missed exactly what it was, though definitely a good one.

    Korth, BB: Series solid. Dismount good!

    Al-Hameed, UB: Missed this entirely, which I’m kinda mad about. She’s great.

    Boren, VT: Y1.5, little stutter hop like usual. Still a good one.

    8:30pm: Priessman, FX: Just the double pike right now, no E pass. Double tuck was good. Her choreo in that section is a little odd? I feel like it doesn’t hit right with the music. 1.5 front lay, good control.

    Dickson, UB: Huge release! Love that air. Just the DLO dismount this week.

    Stuart hit beam I think? I missed it.

    8:32pm: Edney, FX: Double arabian and it’s gorgeous, just a small shuffle forward. She’s figured that one out. Second pass good. Double tuck to close, another big score there for LSU. And here comes the boooos from the crowd, for a 9.925….

    Oakley, UB: Piked Jaeger is lovely, so is the pak. Full in stuck, she’s patient and holds it for a second.

    Dukes, BB: Bhs loso, sooo steady. Front aerial to split jump, nice. She’s so calm through all the crowd noise. Sticks her dismount! Good fight from Kentucky here.

    8:36pm: Finnegan, FX: 1.5 through to 2.5, so well controlled on her landings. Double tuck, floats it in the air. Double pike, two feet but may have shuffled rather than stuck. The noise is deafening. But that’s probably it. That’s the game.

    Hyland, BB: Leap series looked good. Hitchkick front aerial to bhs loso. Cat leap to side aerial to back full, stuck! Such a pro to stay focused through all the crowd noise.

    8:39pm: A 10 for Finnegan and that’s the meet, LSU will defeat Florida. It’s just a matter of by how much now.

    Kelley, FX: This is her victory lap. DLO, chest is low but she doesn’t even care at this point. Front lay front full, just the one step out of it. Double tuck to close, lays it back and she is loving every second.

    FINAL: LSU 197.900, Florida 197.750, Georgia 197.000, Kentucky 196.225. 

    With sessions combined, this makes it

    1. LSU 197.900
    2. Florida 197.750
    3. Alabama 197.350
    4. Georgia 197.000
    5. Arkansas 196.575
    6. Auburn 196.375
    7. Kentucky 196.225
    8. Missouri 195.900

    Event titles will go to Thomas for vault (9.95), Finnegan for bars (9.95); Graber, Skaggs, Gowey, Baumann and Finnegan for beam (9.95); and Finnegan for floor (10.0). Finnegan will also take the AA title at a massive 39.8!

    8:53pm: Awards are being handed out shortly, they’re getting everybody on the floor now. I’ll note your Gator award winners and “medalists,” since they honor the top 8 on each event.

    This crowd of 10,505 people is the largest ever at an SEC Gymnastics Championship. Wow!

    Community Service Team: Amanda Cheney

    Honored as Event Medalists: Thomas, VT, 1st; Hundley, Schoenherr, UB, 3rd; Skaggs, UB, 2nd; Rachel Gowey, Alyssa Baumann, Megan Skaggs, BB, 1st; Boren, FX, 4th; Baumann, Thomas, FX, 2nd; Boren, AA, 4th; Thomas, AA, 3rd

    SEC All-Freshman Team: Trinity Thomas, Savannah Schoenherr, Nya Reed

    All-SEC Team: Trinity Thomas (VT, FX, AA), Skaggs (UB, BB), Gowey (BB), Baumann (BB, FX)

  • LAX: Gators top #17 Stony Brook on road, 11-10

    LAX: Gators top #17 Stony Brook on road, 11-10

    Photo by Benjamin Fox / ChompTalk.com

    Final: Florida 11, Stony Brook 10

    After several frustrating matches against top-five programs, the Florida lacrosse team finally earned a top-20 victory.

    The Gators had lost six straight against ranked opponents, with the only victory being a road win versus Colorado in the season opener.

    Florida took down the SeaWolves of Stony Brook on Saturday by an 11-10 final.

    Almost six minutes into the game, Lindsey Ronbeck opened the scoring to put the Gators ahead 1-0. The two teams traded scores through most of the first half with the score being tied at four at intermission.

    A pair of Gators goals within one minute of play put Florida up 6-4. The Gators also held an 8-5 advantage with just over 22 minutes in regulation.

    The SeaWolves fought back and tied the game up in less than five minutes.

    Shannon Kavanagh buried a pair of goals to put Florida up 10-8 and Sydney Pirreca scored between SBU goals for the final score of 11-10.

    Fast stats:

    • Shannon Kavanagh tied a career high with five goals to lead the effort.
    • Lindsey Ronbeck added two goals for Florida.
    • The Gators were outshot 31-23.
    • Haley Hicklen made a whopping 15 saves to keep Florida in the game.

    What’s next:

    Florida’s run of four straight Top-20 games comes to an end. The Gators will host Brown on Tuesday with the opening draw slated for 7:00 PM from Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

  • WGYM Liveblog: SEC Championships Session 1

    WGYM Liveblog: SEC Championships Session 1

    Y’all ready for some SEC action? The Gators are actually in session two, but we’ll want to keep an eye on what happens in the first session, as the results of the meet are combined from both sessions. It’s unlikely that any of the teams here will factor into the team title race, but there are a few individuals to keep your eye on in the individual races. Here’s a list of the routines you won’t want to miss.

    Alabama has had its share of ups and down this year, and it’s been relegated to this afternoon session for the first time since the inception of this format, but it still stands as the top-ranked team in the session. Ariana Guerra has stepped up her game massively in her senior season, competing a Y1.5 and a double layout on floor and earning 9.9+ on all three events she competes. Lexi Graber has also been a force to be reckoned with, showcasing her aggressive attack on beam and electric performance on floor. And former World medalist Shallon Olsen has found her college groove, showing off her Yurchenko double full on vault and difficult tumbling on floor. Whatever the team outcome today, those three are going to be key to watch, not just for event titles, but as markers for how the team is faring as a whole. Without those key scores, Alabama may not have enough depth to contend with anyone in the night session.

    Auburn is seeded second here after an incredible bounce-back season. The orange and blue Tigers boast three Y1.5s and more E passes than they’ve had in years, and they’re ranked No. 7 in the nation on bars. Watch out for Derrian Gobourne, who’s held the title of Freshman of the Week a number of times this year and can thrill on all four events with her dynamic extension and flexibility in addition to her high difficulty level. Abby Milliet also returns for her redshirt season this year, leading the team on bars, beam and floor. And sophomore Drew Watson is back after qualifying to nationals as an individual last year, ready for another spectacular postseason run. Expect these three to lead scoring for the Tigers, and don’t forget about Gracie Day, whose floor routine is absolutely electric.

    Missouri is seeded third, having had a rollercoaster year of its own, especially after injuries have limited several gymnasts, including senior vault and beam anchor Britney Ward. Still, Aspen Tucker and Morgan Porter have been crucial to the scoring for the black and gold Tigers, anchoring floor as a powerful duo of difficulty and trading off in all-around duties. Also keep an eye on Frances Bidwill, a recent addition to lineups who burst onto the scene with 9.825s or higher the last three weeks on vault.

    Arkansas hasn’t had the season it might have hoped for, but the Razorbacks still have bright spots that refuse to be diminished. Jessica Yamzon is the solid rock of the squad, leading off every single event and setting the tone for each rotation. Kennedy Hambrick, Katarina Derrick and Amanda Elswick all struggled with injury in the early part of the season, but each has come back in a major way to help their team. And don’t forget about Sophia Carter, whose ability to draw in a crowd and elegant lines have led her to rank in the Top 10 on floor in the country.

    https://twitter.com/mycluttereddesk/status/1109531661006442496

    3:06pm CT: Becker went on UB before the announcer said that judges could take control of their events? But she hit, that’s about all I got for you.

    Yamzon, FX: Passes have been hits so far, front lay front full to close. A solid start.

    I literally can’t see beam, guys. I’m sorry I won’t have much of that in here for you, I’ll do my best.

    Desch, VT: FTY, pretty standard. We’ll see how this sets the tone for fulls as a whole.

    3:07pm: Armbrecht, VT: FTY stuck cold! Damn.

    Watson, UB: Release, good. Bail is fine. Final handstand short. Full in super floaty, college salutes herself into a step afterward.

    Nicholson, BB: Beat to split half, nice. Cartwheel, gainer full stick! A hit.

    3:09pm: Mahoney, VT: FTY, a little short, went too hard for the stick and bounced forward a little.

    Krippner, UB: Maloney to bail is fine, little leg seps in there. Tries for the stick but can’t really mask it.

    Gaskins, VT: FTY, sticks it! Alabama is on tonight.

    Hambrick, FX: Double tuck to open, solid. Missed pass 2 I think. She’s having a little trouble letting loose in her dance. Double pike to close, another solid one for Arkansas.

    3:11pm: Olsen, VT: DTY, replay shows sliiiiight adjustment but looked stuck in real time.

    Gobourne, UB: Tkachev great, transition fine… missed the dismount because of Olsen. Sorry y’all, four on the floor is a lot, haven’t done this in a while.

    Gottula just tuck her gainer full on beam.

    3:13pm: Graber, VT: Y1.5, little hop forward.

    Elswick, FX: Double arabian to open! A little bouncy on the landing but nice otherwise. Her dance is really fun, I think the team is starting to loosen her up. 1.5 to front lay to front pike (I think) to close, nice! Glad to see her up and competing again.

    Cerio, UB: piked Jaeger is a beauty, transitions fine. Double back hop forward on the landing.

    3:15pm: Day, UB: Handstands lovely so far, Jaeger to overshoot is soooo energetic it’s almost to handstand. Double arabian dismount and she just has tooooo much power, she has to roll out of it on the floor.

    Porter just had a hop out of her 1.5 beam dismount.

    3:17pm: McGlone, FX: DLO to open, yes! So great to see her so strong again. Double tuck, big bounce back… couldn’t tell if she went OOB or not, she came really close. FRont full to front lay to close. So much fire in that routine, I loved it!

    Kelly, BB: I didn’t even notice she started, that’s how far from beam I am. Front aerial to one-arm bhs, good. Straddle to sheep is good. Punch front full to finish, think she stuck it!

    3:18pm: Ward, BB: Yes, I’m so glad she’s competing this week! Bhs loso and breaks at the hips, no! But she stays on. Hitchkick side aerial, good. Gainer pike off the end to close, stick! A shame about the series though.

    Shaffer, FX: I love the drama she brings to the floor. Double arabian, super open, lands a little bit too forward but keeps the landing under control. Double back second pass. Front full front lay to close, brings it all the way to the line but stayed in I think.

    3:22pm: Carter, FX: Double tuck, a little short, went too hard for the stick I think. 1.5 to front full, good control out of the front landing. She is sooo elegant, her balletic carriage throughout her dance is a thing of beauty. Double pike to finish, looked like a two foot stick from here! Replay shows it was her post-pass salute that shifted her back slightly.

    Wow, okay. I will get better as we go, I promise.

    AFTER ONE: Arkansas 49.275, Alabama 49.225, Missouri 49.125, Auburn 49.050. 

    Arkansas just barely leads Bama, and the fall from Day takes Auburn out of contention quite a bit. Still, anything can happen, there’s still three more rotations to go.

    Graber leads vault at 9.9, Gobourne bars at 9.85, Gottula beam at 9.875, and McGlone floor at 9.875.

    3:32pm: Bower, FX: Double back to close, a good lead off overall, though I missed the first two passes.

    Yamzon, VT: FTY, step back.

    Dickson, UB: Missed the first skills. Tkachev is lovely and floaty. DLO, nice!

    Watson, BB: Missed the routine, but she sticks her 1.5 and it’s clearly a hit by the team’s celebration!

    3:34pm: Pennese, VT: FTY, hop back.

    Graber, UB: Lovely first handstand, pirouette right on top of the bar, beautiful! Missed her release somehow? Bail is dead on. Sticks her full in! Wow.

    Gobourne, BB: Fumbles on her switch to split, may lose the connection there? Side aerial to back full. Missed the series.

    Nicholson, FX: 1.5 to front lay, good control out of it. Rudi to finish, another hit! She’s a fun one.

    3:35pm: Shaffer, VT: Yhalf, big hop forward.

    Childers, UB: Maloney to bail, a little leg sep but pretty good. Half in double back, legs staggered but sticks!

    Hambrick, VT: Completely missed this, sorry. A hit, from the cheers.

    3:38pm: McGLone, VT: FTY, slide back.

    Guerra, UB: Super aggressive on first handstand, goes too big on her Jaeger and eats mat, yikes. Transition is fine. DLO stuck! Shame, that would’ve been good otherwise

    Turner, FX: Double pike to open, awesome control. Good to see her back in this lineup. Combo pass is good, missed the exact twists.

    Riddle, BB: fumbles on her series landing but covers with dance, in time with the arena music. Ha! Leaps are good. Cat leap side aerial back full, good!

    Elswick, VT: Y1.5, little step. Good for her!

    3:41pm: Gottula, FX: double pike to open, nice. Missed her second pass figuring out what’s going with Bama. I feel like not a lot happens in this choreo? It feels like she’s moving from pose to pose. Double tuck to close, solid.

    Mahoney, UB: Bail, straight on. Tkachev, good height but doesn’t travel as far away from the bar as I’d like. Full in is stuck!

    Sheppard, BB: Side aerial, so solid. Cat leap to switch side, nice. Full turn, such finesse there. Really showing the personality in her choreography. 1.5 dismount stuck! Another hit for Auburn!

    3:43pm: Tucker, FX: Love this girl. Full in, so much power she has to lean back. Doesn’t quite keep the front foot on the floor though, whoops. Combo pass was fine. Random front tuck to satisfy front tumbling. Double pike to close, solid.

    Gaskins, UB: Maloney to pak, little leg sep. DLO, big knee bend and has to hop forward.

    3:35pm: Milliet, BB: Punch front mount, yes! Dead on. Bhs loso, steady. She’s such a showwoman on this apparatus. Ooh, I jinxed her, little bobble on her jump series. Cat leap to gainer full, stuck! Good for her.

    Porter, FX: Double pike with a two-foot stick! That’s how you open a routine. I feel like her walks have so little energy though, the routine has to have energy in the dance too, not just tumbling. Combo pass is fine, 1.5 to front pike I think. Ahh, here’s the energy in choreography. The drama amps here with the percussion. Double tuck, a little short and chest low, has to step forward.

    3:39pm: Sylvia, BB: Front aerial to rulfova, doesn’t really make it all the way around but makes it work somehow. Stag to switch half. Cartwheel to gainer full, swims for the stick and holds it.

    AFTER TWO: Alabama 98.425, Missouri 98.375, Arkansas 98.225, Auburn 98.000

    Alabama retakes its rightful place, though only by half a tenth. Missouri overtakes Arkansas for second after a stellar floor rotation, and Arkansas had a middling round at vault after some landing difficulties. Auburn’s not having the meet they’d have hoped for, especially not Gobourne, but we still have half a meet left – crazier things have happened.

    Graber’s lead on vault holds at 9.9, but Elswick ties her with a very similar Y1.5. Graber and Mahoney tie for the new lead on bars at 9.875. Gottula’s lead holds on beam at 9.875, and she and Tucker will tie McGlone for the lead on floor, also a 9.875.

    In the third rotation, Alabama will head to beam, Auburn to floor, Missouri to vault, and Arkansas to bars.

    3:58pm: Slappey, FX: Front lay to Rudi, nice! Good to see her back in action, she missed much of the first part of season. Waiting a long time in the corner before final pass, double tuck and it’s good.

    Christensen, VT: FTY, slide back.

    Yamzon, UB: Tkachev is solid. Bail straight on, good. Sounds like she stuck her dismount!

    McCrary, VT: Heavily braced FTY, slide back. At least she’s still competing?

    4:00pm: Klopfer, BB: Cat leap to side aerial to back full, clearly she hit but I missed almost all of it. Stuck dismount though!

    Gottula, VT: FTY, swims for the stick and gets it. Little off to the side though.

    Laird, UB: Tkachev and falls right away. Woof. Remounts, bail is fine. Short last handstand, DLO, small adjustment.

    Sheppard, FX: Triple full, gorgeous! A little crossy in the legs though. Showing off her sass and flexibility here in the choreography. Missed the last pass but it was a hit.

    Olsen, BB: Series lovely, super steady. She’s very deliberate through her choreography, taking her time. Front aerial strong. Bhs bhs double pike, stuck! That’s huge.

    Tucker, VT: FTY good dynamics, don’t think it was stuck though.

    4:03pm: Porter, VT: FTY, slide back.

    Hambrick, UB: Jaeger to overshoot, nice! Lots of power there. Dismount looked like a small adjustment.

    Watson, FX: Double arabian and she sits, rolls back out of it. She needs to find a way to get consistent on that, or they need to take it out. Double tuck is good, lots of dramatic choreo in here. Combo pass is fine.

    Bidwill, VT: Y1.5 the materialized halfway through the season and nails it! Step forward.

    Childers, BB: Series great! She’s feeding off the music from Watson’s routine. Roundoff 1.5, stutter step forward. Another hit.

    4:06pm: Totally missed Garner on bars, but the crowd roared, so I’m assuming a hit.

    Shaffer, UB: First handstand might’ve been a little short. Maloney to bail is great, legs glued together. Last handstand short. DLO stuck cold! Another good one for Arkansas.

    Armbrecht, BB: Front aerial to beat, nice. Series super steady. Leap series, small bobble but covers well. Another one on her sheep. Double full dismount, bounce back.

    Gobourne, FX: Dang watching her and Armbrecht at the same time is hard. Hits opening pass. Combo pas,s takes it straight to the line but stays in. Double pike to close, perfect control, pops into the lunge because she can. Such a great routine.

    4:09pm: Burton, UB: Transition was fine, missed the release. DLO, step back on dismount.

    Gaskins, BB: Candle mount, love it! For anyone who hasn’t seen it, she stands a springboard facing away from the beam and basically does a back layout into grabbing the beam. It’s kinda scary but really fun. Acro so far has been fine. Series super secure. Switch to split, gorgeous extension. Gainer full, hop forward.

    Milliet, FX: Front lay to Rudi was great! Double pike a little skiddy in the landing but keeps it small. Her extension and choreo are so gorgeous, I just love watching her dance. Illusion turns were made for her. 1.5 to front lay, goes all the way to the line but doesn’t go out.

    4:13pm: Graber, BB: Bhs 2ft layout, locks it down. Switch to straddle 3/4, solid. Front toss to scale, crowd goes crazy, and then sticks her dismount, even crazier!

    Cerio, FX: Double pike to open, nice! 1.5 to front lay to wolf jump, ooooh that’s fun. Rudi to finish, this looks so much better than when they were at Florida. She’s been out of the lineup a few weeks, but I see why they put her back in!

    AFTER THREE: Alabama 147.875, Arkansas 147.325, Auburn 147.250, Missouri 147.050. 

    Alabama setting themselves apart from this group with that beam rotation, wow. Olsen and Graber were spectacular, I really don’t mind those scores. Missouri had a roughhh vault rotation, having to count four scores below 9.8, causing them to fall into last.

    Graber and Elswick will keep the lead on vault, Shaffer takes the lead on bars at 9.9,  Graber sets a high bar at 9.95 on beam, and Gobourne sets the new mark on floor at 9.9.

    4:23pm CT: Becker, VT: FTY, boucne back.

    Tucker, UB: Jaeger, very nice. Bail, she just collapses, but stays on the bar somehow?? Girl. Double back, stuck.

    Desch, FX: Double pike to open, one of her better ones. Marathon combo pass, cute, keeps control the whole way through. The music is really low compared to previous rotations? Weird. Double tuck to close, popped her chest up on the landing.

    Yamzon hit to open beam for Arkansas.

    4:25pm: Krippner, VT: FTY, slide to the side, she was a little short.

    Kelly, UB: Jaeger was huge, DLO dismount good. Missed the transition.

    Hambrick, BB: Another hit, missed most of it but I did see a bobble on a dance element

    4:26pm: Day, VT: Y1.5, she hits! Slide back as she came in a little short though.

    Olsen, FX: Double double, came super close but kept it in. Front tuck through to double back, a little short but covers. Double pike to close, a little low chest, but overall a solid one.

    Christensen, UB: Bail floppy, not quite locked into a handstand. Team cheers like she stuck it.

    Gobourne, VT: Y1.5, swims for the stick and gets it! Wow!

    4:29pm: Elswick, BB: Roundoff double full, stuck! Another big hit for Arkansas.

    Schugel, UB: Piked Jaeger to overshoot, so dynamic. Double back stuck! Great to see her fighting for her last season.

    Watson, VT: Y1.5, little slide back.

    4:30pm: Mahoney, FX: Last minute lineup change, thanks Dana… Double back to open, solid. Front full to front lay, jumps out of it, but somehow makes it choreography? Double pike to finish, nice.

    Carter, BB: Off on series, dang. Her beam is normally so solid. Front aerial is fine. Slide back on dismount.

    Porter, UB: Jaeger is nice, bail straight on. Missed the dismount but she hit.

    EDIT: This was Glenn, VT: FTY, so big, slides back. Score build may work in her favor, but we’ll see if the judges here are falling for that.

    4:33pm: Armbrecht, FX: Double pike to open, no E pass tonight.

    Derrick, BB: Front toss, little bobble but keeps it small. Leap series is good, nice extension. Random cat leap thrown in? Gainer full dismount. Gets a hug and looks unhappy, maybe I missed something on her series. Yeah, 9.65, missed something somewhere.

    Bidwill, UB: Missed most of this but sticks her DLO dismount! Definitely a hit. Combo pass straight to choreography, lovely. Rudi to double stag, big air. Another hit for Bama. They pulled Gaskins apparently? Wonder what’s up, maybe still sick.

    4:36pm: Graber, FX: Full in to open, great control. She’s lighting this place up, everyone is bopping around with her. Combo pass, dances straight out of it, nice. Double pike to close, just lays it back into the lunge nice and sloooow. That’ll be another great one for her, what a night she’s had!

    Burton, BB: Front aerial, good. Bhs loso, super steady! Taking it super slow. Leap series, little bouncey but covers it. Gainer full dismount, can’t see the landing from here.

    4:39pm: Guerra, FX: Last one of the session, performing by herself. Yes. Bringing the drama already. Double layout, gorgeous. 1.5 to front lay, one step out and brings her foot right to passe. Her face is so expressive through this whole section, what great performance quality. Double pike to close and she just lays it back. Alabama really pulled it out here in the last two events.

    FINAL SCORES, SESSION ONE: Alabama 197.350, Arkansas 196.475, Auburn 196.375, Missouri 195.900

    Going into session two, Alabama has set a decent bar to clear, but all four teams should expect to at least break 197, so it’s doubtful it will be too hard to surpass. The harder hurdles to clear for gymnasts in session two will be the individual title marks – 9.9 for Graber, Elswick and Gobourne; 9.9 for Shaffer on bars, Graber 9.95 on beam, and Graber and Guerra at 9.925 for floor. Graber will come in for the AA title at 39.65, which will be a difficult mark to pass, even for AA stalwarts like Finnegan and Boren.

    Former Alabama head coach Sarah Patterson caught on camera with former rival head coach and current Georgia VAC Suzanne Yoculan – wonder how she feels about Alabama’s performance tonight!

    Okay, time for warmups for session two. I’m gonna take a break and then I’ll be back on a separate post for you guys!

  • MBB: Roundtable predictions for Florida-Michigan

    MBB: Roundtable predictions for Florida-Michigan

    Photo by Andy Lyons / ChompTalk.com

    Florida and Michigan will face off in the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday. The game will tip-off at 5:15 PM (EST) from Des Moines, Iowa and will be broadcast nationally on CBS.

    We had so much fun doing a roundtable with several local journalists for the Nevada game, that we have decided to do it again.

    With any luck, we may have to do four more of these!

    Graham Hall (1-0):

    After holding Nevada well below its season average in points per game, Florida is in for a defensive battle in the Round of 32. The Gators will have their hands full with senior Charles Matthews, who registered his seventh career double-double in Michigan’s 19-point win over Montana. The Wolverines will give Florida fits on the glass, and UF will once again need senior Kevarrius Hayes and freshman Keyontae Johnson to play at a high level in the frontcourt. The Gators struggled in the second half before making key defensive adjustments against Nevada, and the pressure will be on Mike White, now in his fourth season at Florida, to adjust to and out-strategize Wolverines coach John Beilein. If the Gators hope to reach the Sweet Sixteen, they’ll need to crash the offensive glass, capitalize on second chance opportunities and convert shots from beyond the arc. In the always-unpredictable NCAA Tournament, one thing’s for certain: Florida has 40 difficult minutes ahead. Florida 59-55

    • Graham is a correspondent for the Gainesville Sun, follow him on Twitter: @GrahamHall_
    Photo by Jamie Squire / ChompTalk.com

    Jake Hitt (0-1):

    I know I was wrong on Thursday
    Nevada was good, Michigan is better. The road for Florida doesn’t get easier against the 2-seed Wolverines. Yes, Mo Wagner is gone, but freshman Iggy Brazdeikis came in this year to lead his team in scoring. And players like Zavier Simpson, Charles Matthews and Jordan Poole are back from that national title game run in 2018.

    Michigan outpaces Florida in experience and boasts an elite defense. Both of those could make things go from bad to worse if Florida gets into one of its patented scoring droughts. The Gators have a defense of their own and thrive off turnovers. Michigan leads the NCAA in turnovers per game at 9 while Florida is 41st in TOs forced with over 15 per game.

    Mike White’s zone might be able to confuse Michigan for awhile. But his offense will need to be its best to date to keep up with Michigan. Also, Florida and Michigan rely on a small rotation of players for major minutes but John Beilein has more of a bench to call on. Jalen Hudson and KeVaughn Allen will both need to be on top of their game and Florida must stay out of foul trouble. The Gators will hang around, but Michigan will come out on top. Michigan 75-65

    • Jake is a senior journalism student at UF who is a beat writer for WRUF – ESPN Gainesville. Follow him on Twitter: @Jake_Hitt06

    Mark Stine (0-1):

    Michigan will win because…
    The Gators slow down the pace of a game and get stops on the defensive end, but Michigan, is elite at those tactics.
    The Wolverines are second in scoring defense (58.6 points per game) and fifth in three-point defense (28.9 percent). They do this all while averaging 14.1 fouls per game, which is hardly enough to put the opposition in the bonus in each half.
    Michigan takes care of the ball on the offensive end as well. It averages only 8.8 turnovers per game, the best rate in the country.
    Florida averages nearly 12 turnovers per game and commits 17.1 fouls per game. It will need to avoid giving the Wolverines extra possessions while matching Michigan’s physical play.
    I don’t think the Gators will play a flawless enough game to get them through. Michigan 66-59

    • Mark is the sports editor at The Independent Florida Alligator. Follow him on Twitter: @mstinejr
    Photo by Jamie Squire / Getty Images

    Brandon Buckman (0-1):

    Florida and Michigan is a dream matchup for the defensive junkies out there! Wolverine Assistant Coach Luke Yaklich is a defensive mastermind, and many believe he will be a head coach by the summer. Michigan is a team good enough for a repeat Final Four, but the Gators are beyond capable of another upset. Both teams are elite defensively and have similarities offensively. I’m really looking to see what Florida does to slow down Big Ten Freshman of the Year Iggy Brazdeikis (15 points and 5 rebounds per game). Florida 58-57

    • Brandon is a contributor for ChompTalk.com that specializes in college basketball. Follow Brandon on Twitter: @GatorBuckman

    Michael Pfeffer (1-0):

    Florida was up to the task of busting the bracket versus Nevada but the competition will take a steep climb on Saturday. Michigan looked relatively unstoppable against an over matched Montana team and Charles Matthews has reemerged with his best performance since injuring his ankle in February. The Gators will need to slow down the tempo of this game just as they did on Thursday night. This will be a tall order and will require a nearly perfect game from the young Gators lineup. Michigan plays a similar style to Florida in that their offense is often surpassed by the exceptional play of their swarming defense. In the end, I feel that Michigan will just be too much for the Gators. Michigan 68-59

    • Michael is a beat writer for ChompTalk.com and has helped contribute to the basketball coverage on the site. Follow Michael on Twitter: @MikeyPfeffer

    Brian Fox (0-1):

    Just like several others here, I was wrong about the Nevada game. That’s the beauty of sports and why sports gambling is so wildly popular. Any given day any team can win, and any team can lose.

    Florida heads into their contest with Michigan as 6.5 point underdogs. What’s truly odd about this game is that Florida matches up much better against the Wolverines than they did Nevada, at least, on paper. But then again we are talking about this Gators team, which has defied logic almost all season.

    Florida will need to force turnovers to get easy transition baskets, but that won’t be easy. Michigan only turns the ball over 8.9 times per game.

    The Wolverines also have the experience of a National Championship game run of just a year ago. Michigan has a deeper bench than Florida, but is led by 6’7 F Ignas Brazdeikis who averages 15 and 5 in just under 30 minutes a contest.

    While I truly believe this game is a toss up that could go literally any way, I’m going to go the route of superstition. I picked Nevada in the last game so I’ll take, Michigan 71-67.

    • Brian is the founder of ChompTalk.com. You can follow him on Twitter: @ChompTalkBrian

    __________

    What do you think the final score will be?

    Make sure to follow @ChompTalk on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest on the Gators post-season run.

  • MBB: Gators look to bust brackets with upset of #2 Michigan

    MBB: Gators look to bust brackets with upset of #2 Michigan

    Photo by Jamie Squire / Getty Images

    After a wild first round victory over #7-seeded Nevada, the Gators will look to upset #2-seed Michigan.

    While the two teams are nearly mirror images of each other, we are going to break down keys to the matchup and what Florida must do to put itself in positon to win.

    The Match Up:

    This will be an incredible defensive showdown as both Michigan and Florida sport two of the best defenses in the nation. The Wolverines and Gators are ranked 3rd and 42nd, respectively, in Division-I defensive efficiency rating. Last season’s national runner up Michigan only lost two key players, including Los Angeles Lakers center Mo Wagner, but the arrival of Iggy Brazdeikis, a freshman averaging 15 points and 5 rebounds a game, more than makes up for what UM lost a season ago.

    On the other side of the timeline, the Gators are coming off a huge win over Nevada. The Gators put it on the Wolf Pack late in the opening half to push the lead to double digits before the break. Yes, Florida did have a late collapse, but a clutch and-1 dunk from Dontay Bassett was the icing on the cake for Gator Nation. On Thursday, Florida had four players in double figures, which was a major reason for their win, as only one Gator averages double figures (KeVaughn Allen).

    Key to win:

    Florida’s key to win is simple, although much easier said than done: they must slow the game down. Slowing the game down will keep Florida calm. When Nevada put pressure on late in the second half, the Gators collapsed and Mike White had trouble finding a ball handler who remained calm and collected.

    Another reason to keep the game slow is to keep the score low. Despite Michigan relying on heavy minutes from 6 players, they actually have a much deeper and talented bench than the Gators do. Limiting fouls, limiting turnovers, and defending the three are three main areas of focus for Mike White if he is going to pull off another upset.

    Defensively, the two teams are elite, however, offensively they are fairly even in terms of points per game. Experience is Michigan’s biggest advantage, but Florida has all the tools and pieces to pull this one out.

    Florida and Michigan will tip-off at 5:15 PM from Des Moines, Iowa. The game will be broadcast nationally by CBS.

  • WGYM: SEC Championships Take Gators to Different Swamp

    WGYM: SEC Championships Take Gators to Different Swamp

    This weekend, your favorite Gator gymnasts will head to a less familiar swamp – New Orleans, La. – for the SEC Gymnastics Championships. Though favored to win, Florida cannot coast through this meet and expect to take the crown. Many conference opponents will look to this meet to jumpstart their postseason journeys, and upsetting Florida would do that in spectacular fashion. The Gators will need to continue building as they have throughout the season, improving their landings and staying in the moment in order to defeat tough adversaries like LSU and Georgia. We’ll break it down event by event to discuss the Gators’ highlights and challenges, as well as the roadblocks their opponents may pose.

    Vault is where Florida has struggled most this year, but in the last few meets, it’s shown moments of promise. Landings are the key focus here, because that’s where the vault squad has consistently been losing tenths. At one point, the Gators did post a full lineup of 10.0 start value vaults, but it wasn’t really worth it: Yurchenko fulls from the likes of Megan Skaggs and Sierra Alexander can score higher than some of the messier but more difficult vaults. Be sure to watch how those opening fulls do, because they will set the tone for the lineup, as well as the closing vaults from Trinity Thomas and Alicia Boren. If both of them are on their game that night, the scores could start to soar. Now, both LSU and Georgia are ranked higher on vault than Florida, both averaging nearly a tenth or more per meet on the event. That may not seem like a lot, but in what is expected to be a bitter fight to the end, every tenth will count. At LSU, watch out for Sarah Finnegan, whose full is near perfection every time, and Kennedi Edney, a former SEC champion on the event with her 1.5. And at Georgia, the double whammy of Sydney Snead and Rachael Lukacs to close the Gymdog lineup is tough to beat, especially with Lukacs performing the Yurchenko double full, perhaps the hardest vault being performed in the NCAA.

    Florida will actually start the meet on bars, which could be a blessing – bars has been one of its best events all season. Led off by Boren, the paragon of consistency here, Florida bars features a full lineup of 9.9-capable competitors. At their best, Thomas, Boren, Skaggs and Amelia Hundley have all scored 9.95 or better. If they can all “be normal,” as they often are asked to be by head coach Jenny Rowland, it could make for a huge starting total for Florida. Though Florida is the top ranked team on bars in the SEC, LSU is not far behind. Watch out for their double whammy of Finnegan and Lexie Priessman at the end of the lineup, who both have the capability to score a perfect 10. Georgia is further behind the curve here, but keep an eye out for big scores from Alexa Al-Hameed and Rachel Dickson. Kentucky, having ousted Alabama from the night session, should also not be counted out on bars – Mollie Korth can put up huge numbers when she hits.

    On beam, the Gators have been a little hit or miss. Some weeks they’re on fire, with every routine scoring 9.85 or above. However, disaster has struck a few times, particularly in the latter half of the lineup where the strongest scores should be. Every routine for Florida beam has high scoring potential, but especially keep watch for Alyssa Baumann. She can seal the deal on beam if it’s one of her good nights. Also key to this beam squad is the presence, or lack there of, of Rachel Gowey. After an old injury flareup, she has not yet returned to the lineup, calling into question the depth of 9.9-capable routines in the lineup. If she returns, expect the one-two punch of Gowey and Baumann to close the beam lineup for the Gators with phenomenal scores. But Florida has to be careful. Giving up valuable tenths with wobbles or falls could destroy the lead they will likely have after the first rotation. LSU is tied with Florida for the No. 3 beam NQS in the country. They can go just as big on beam as Florida can, especially with huge scores from Finnegan and Reagan Campbell at the end of their lineup. Kentucky is being can also be a threat, especially when you consider that Sydney Dukes and Alex Hyland are in their senior year and still have something to prove.

    Floor is always a strong suit for Florida, and they will want to use it here in New Orleans as a springboard into their final event. They need floor to be as awesome as possible, so that if vault doesn’t go as planned, they still have the ability to win. Awesome is the default setting for the Florida floor squad though, with more than six gymnasts who have scored 9.9 or higher this season. Both Boren and Thomas have been itching for that perfect-10 here since week one, and while it is harder to score a perfect-10 at a conference championship, since there are more judges, if anyone is up to the task, it’s one of those two. LSU has shown weakness on for this season, so this may be where Florida can make up some ground if they find themselves behind . Howver, the Tigers will have huge routines from Finnegan, Edney, and McKenna Kelly, who have all scored a perfect ten this season. Georgia and Alabama can also put up big numbers on the floor, but haven’t had the consistency of Florida or LSU. Still, Dickson and Sabrina Vega of Georgia and Shallon Olsen and Ariana Guerra from Alabama should be treats to watch.

    In the all around, Thomas and Boren are on the shortlist of possible winners. Both have racked up their fair share of all-around titles And weekly honors this season. Thomas and Boren are both in the top 15 in the country and the top five in the conference, but they’ll have to defeat Finnegan of LSU to win the individual crown. Sneed of Georgia and add me of LSU are also both rank higher than boring, oh Thomas stands second only to Finnegan in the SEC. to beat her, Thomas would need to put together each of her routines from start to finish with all the corrections in mind that she’s taken over the course of the season. For Thomas, her most vulnerable places vault where she has struggled on her landings. For Finnegan, vault is also where she’s likely most vulnerable, as she only performs a full and does not have the extra 0.05 and difficulty that any of her competitors do. It will be a tight race, but you better believe that the gators will be in it every step of the way.

    Overall, this is the Gators championship to lose. They’ve beaten LSU at Baton Rouge, and though Georgia beat them in Gainesville, Florida is still the more consistent team between the two. Everyone else is just along for the ride at this point, barring disaster, but it will certainly be interesting to see whether Kentucky or Alabama comes in fourth – both teams have had a roller coaster of the year and anything could happen, though neither of them should threaten the top three.

  • FB: Gators Spring Forward

    FB: Gators Spring Forward

    Photo by Todd Kirkland / Getty Images

    What a difference a year can make. This time last year, we had far more questions than answers. What was a Dan Mullen led Florida going to look like? Who would be the starting quarterback? Would they be just another name in the revolving door of players in that position group since Tebow’s graduation? Could the offense actually score?

    The truth is, being a Florida fan over the past decade was akin to living out a real life version of Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day, only with the added cruelty being promised that things would be different each year. Every year began with tempered expectations and ended with bitter disappointment or half-hearted celebration of an achievement we knew we didn’t deserve.

    So it’s no wonder that some fans responded to the hiring of Dan Mullen with caution and even skepticism. However, even the most hesitant fans took notice, rather quickly, that something was different this time. Dan Mullen immediately went to work, changing the culture at Florida.

    Instilling the desire to work harder than anyone else in the nation was the first task. No longer would it be acceptable to simply show up. Strength and conditioning coach, Nick Savage put these young men through the most intense workouts of their lives and Coach Mullen was running right beside each of them. This is one of many reasons that the players are willing to run through a brick wall for him. Seeing your coach enduring the same conditioning he demands of you really lets you see who he is and how he views you in respect to his position.

    The physical results Savage’s program were obvious. It wasn’t until the season began however, that we would see the true payoff. In years leading up to the 2018 season, Florida was plagued with injury; losing thirty-one scholarship players in 2017 alone. As one would imagine, that takes a toll and the Gators limped their way to their second four win season in five seasons. In 2018, those injuries were kept to a bare minimum.

    Beyond the strength and conditioning, Mullen brought the trademark swagger back to Gainesville. One of the things that was missing during Florida’s decade long slump was the fun and confident attitude exhibited by players and fans alike. Mullen made it known right from the start that he expected the Swamp to be sold out and rocking each and every Saturday.

    The fans responded and the team treated them to an upset win over the fifth ranked LSU Tigers. It was that game that most closely resembled the Gators of the Spurrier and Meyer era’s. It was that game where the Swamp displayed it’s true potential.

    Although the past year wasn’t without its problems, the team and ,indeed, the program showed tremendous progress. It is because of that progress and the momentum behind it that there is cause for excitement and even expectation for the coming year.

    Feleipe Franks, once deemed a lost cause, returns as the incumbent starter and has taken great strides in improving not just his physical game but his leadership as well. The team and the coaches have confidence in him and more importantly, he has confidence in himself.

    Close behind him is Emory Jones, who has looked much more comfortable in spring practices this season. He will likely see a lot of action in the coming year. In fact, this is probably the best that the quarterback room has looked since Tebow, Newton, and Brantley wore the orange and blue.

    The running backs have exhibited great vision and explosiveness in team drills early on and Malik Davis looks every bit as good as he did before his season ending injury last year. Lamical Perine is the unquestioned leader of this group but regardless of who is toting the rock, defenses beware.

    The receiving corps is actually better heading into the summer session and boasts size, speed, experience, and precision. Possibly the most exciting and surprising of the group is the emergence of Kadarius Toney as a deep threat.

    On the defensive side of the ball, there is even more depth and experience than last season’s unit. Expect Todd Grantham to get even more production in year two of his system.

    Despite losing Jachai Polite and CeCe Jefferson, the defensive line has shown some potential on the edge. Guys like Jabari Zuniga, Tedarrell Slaton, and transfer Jonathan Greenard have all flashed and have the opportunity to excel in Grantham’s aggressive scheme.

    The secondary suffered the most last season, due to injury and shallow depth, but they have filled the gaps with blue chip talent and should be a strength this season with the return of Marco Wilson.

    Some of the most interesting battles this spring have come from 11-on-11 drills between the receivers and defensive backs. As the addage goes, iron sharpens iron and these groups will have each other very sharp and ready for anything this fall.

    The biggest question mark of the spring session has to be the offensive line. With four starters graduating or entering the draft, Florida will need to get immediate results from a very young group. On the plus side, the Gators have the best depth along the offensive line that they have had in years. The downside is, they will have a prime time test versus Miami in week zero.

    Offensive line coach, John Hevesy has embraced the task at hand, however and says that he’s having a lot of fun with the younger guys. With their lack of experience comes fewer bad habits to retrain.

    With so many weapons at their disposal, the Gators have not been shy about this season’s goals. Call it a further indication of Mullen’s culture change. Call it swagger. Call it whatever you’d like but the Gators are in it for championships.