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  • Florida has made “lucrative” offer to Becky Hammon

    Florida has made “lucrative” offer to Becky Hammon

    The Florida Gators search for a new women’s basketball coach could be in the final stages. Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical is reporting that Florida has offered NBA assistant Becky Hammon a “lucrative” deal to become the next head coach. 

    Wojnarowski is also reporting that Florida’s offer would be a considerable raise from Hammon’s current position with the San Antonio Spurs. 

    According to the report Hammon is mulling over the decision due to her desire to be the first female head coach in the NBA. 

    Hammon was a six time WNBA all-star who joined the Spurs coaching staff in 2014 after an injury forced her retirement. 

  • Report: NBA’s Hammon is leading candidate for Gators HC job

    Report: NBA’s Hammon is leading candidate for Gators HC job

    Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin appears poised to make a huge decision on the future of Florida’s women’s basketball team. 

    Swish Appeal is reporting that Stricklin has narrowed his list to three candidates, and that San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon is the top choice.  The report also indicates that Hammon will visit Gainesville and the UF campus in the next few days. 

    Hammon is a former WNBA player that has spent the last three seasons as the NBA’s first female full-time coach. Hammon has also taken on role of head coach during Summer League ball for the Spurs organization. 

    Hammon played collegiately at Colorado State and finished her career as the highest scorer in Western Athletic Conference history (men’s or women’s).

    Hammon is in the New York Liberty’s Ring of Honor, and also had her number 25 jersey retired by the San Antonio Stars, the only WNBA franchises she played for.

    Hammon would be a terrific choice to guide the Florida women and should be a great recruiter. After all, no other coach in women’s college basketball can talk about their experience in the NBA.  

  • Mets to assign Tebow to Low-A Columbia

    Mets to assign Tebow to Low-A Columbia

    Tim Tebow will be assigned to the New York Mets Low Class-A affiliate in Columbia, South Carolina to begin the 2017 baseball season. 

    Marc Craig of Newsday was the first to report the newest development. Mets GM Sandy Alderson has confirmed the report. 

    Tebow is expected to play the full season with the Fireflies and will have the opportunity to start as a corner outfielder for the team. 

    Tebow hit .235 in MLB Spring Training after compiling a .194 average in the Arizona Fall League. 

    Tebow will be in familiar territory as Columbia is home to the University of South Carolina, a rival Southeastern Conference team of his alma mater, Florida. 

    The Columbia Fireflies are a South Atlantic League affiliate of the New York Mets. The closest SAL team to Gainesville, Florida (mileage) is the Augusta Green Jackets (266 miles).  

  • Gators cruise past Virginia, into Sweet Sixteen

    Gators cruise past Virginia, into Sweet Sixteen

    FINAL: FLORIDA 65, VIRGINIA 39

      1st 2nd OT FINAL
    VIRGINIA 17 22 X 39
    FLORIDA 31 34 X 65

     

    ORLANDO, FL- The fourth-seeded Florida Gators advanced to the “Sweet Sixteen” of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014 with a dominating 65-39 victory over fifth-seeded Virginia.

    Florida held Virginia scoreless over the last 5:04 seconds of the first half and went on a 12-0 run to end the period, keyed by senior forward Justin Leon’s 8 points in that stretch.  The Gators only allowed the Cavaliers 17 first half points, a season low.  Florida also began the second half on a 9-0 run before Virginia scored. 

    Florida’s defense stymied Virginia.  The Cavaliers finished the game shooting less than thirty percent (29.6), and only made 1-15 from the three point line.

    Devin Robinson and Leon each finished with 14 points to lead the Gators in scoring.  Both players finished with double-doubles as Robinson finished with 11 rebounds, and Leon added 10 more.  Kevarrius Hayes, Canyon Barry, and Chris Chiozza all scored 7 points.  Chiozza also assisted on 5 Florida baskets.  KeVaughn Allen struggled shooting going 2-10 from the field including 0-4 from behind the three point line.

    Virginia had no scorers in double figures as Florida kept London Perrantes to just 6 points.  Perrantes played a key role in the Cavaliers come from behind victory against UNC-Wilmington, scoring 24 points.  Mamadi Diakite led Virginia with 9 points.  Sophomore Jack Salt added 8 points and 10 rebounds for Virginia.

    Florida advances to the Sweet Sixteen and will take on Wisconsin in New York’s Madison Square Garden on Friday March, 24.  Wisconsin upset number one overall seed Villanova earlier Sunday.

    RECORDS:

    • VIRGINIA:                            23-11
    • FLORIDA:                           26-8

    Team Stats:

      VIRGINIA FLORIDA
    FG % 30 46
    3-PT % 7 38
    FT % 86 61
    Offensive Rebounds 9 7
    Total Rebounds 32 36
    Assists 8 10
    Steals 4 6
    Blocks 3 1
    Turnovers 11 10

     

    What’s Next:

    FLORIDA VS WISCONSIN

    NCAA TOURNAMENT – SWEET SIXTEEN

    MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK

     

  • Robinson ties career high, Florida advances

    Robinson ties career high, Florida advances

    FINAL: FLORIDA 80, EAST TENNESSEE STATE 65

      1st 2nd OT FINAL
    ETSU 32 33 X 65
    FLORIDA 33 47 X 80

     

    ORLANDO, FL- The Florida Gators played their first NCAA tournament game since 2014 on Thursday.  Florida earned a four-seed and the right to play in a de-facto home game in Orlando against the East Tennessee State Buccaneers.

    The Gators were one of the teams most talked about by analysts as being on “upset alert.”  But this Florida team was having none of that.  Florida started the game hot with a 14-6 lead and a 24-16 lead less than eleven minutes into the game.  The Buccaneers came back and eventually got to within one point of Florida.

    ETSU did take the lead in the early seconds of the second half.  Justin Leon made a three-point shot with 17:32 to play that put Florida on top 38-37.  Florida would never trail gain.

    Devin Robinson led the Gators in scoring with 24 points, which tied his career high.  Chris Chiozza and Kasey Hill each added 14 points.  Kevarrius Hayes scored 7 points, grabbed 7 rebounds (4 offensive), recorded a school NCAA tournament record 6 steals, and blocked two ETSU shots.

    Canyon Barry and KeVaughn Allen also added 7 points, Allen’s all came in the second half.  Gorjok Gak received playing time in the first half, scoring four points despite missing both of his free-throw attempts.  Leon finished the game with 3 points and 4 rebounds.

    ETSU was led by TJ Cromer who scored 19 points.  The only other Buccaneer in double figures in scoring was David Burrell who finished with 11.

    Florida head coach Mike White gets his first NCAA tournament win as a coach in his first appearance. 

    Florida will play Virginia on Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.  Virginia defeated UNC-Wilmington earlier on Thursday 76-71.
    RECORDS:

    • ETSU:                                   27-8
    • FLORIDA:                           25-8

    Team Stats:

      ETSU FLORIDA
    FG % 40 48
    3-PT % 38 32
    FT % 60 78
    Offensive Rebounds 13 12
    Total Rebounds 32 38
    Assists 11 16
    Steals 8 12
    Blocks 0 4
    Turnovers 16 14

     

    What’s Next:

    FLORIDA VS VIRGINIA

    NCAA TOURNAMENT – SECOND ROUND

    AMWAY CENTER, ORLANDO, FLORIDA

     

  • What is wrong with Florida baseball’s offense?

    What is wrong with Florida baseball’s offense?

    The Florida Gators baseball team has been a true Jekyll/Hyde story when comparing weekend games to midweek games. Florida has not lost a game in three weekend series going 9-0 including a three game sweep of rival Miami. However, the Gators have struggled in midweek games going 1-4 with losses to Jacksonville, UCF, and two to FGCU.  

    It’s been no secret that Florida has struggled to hit the ball this year. At times fans haven’t noticed because the pitching has more than made up for it. Other times such as last Sunday’s game against Columbia, fans were fooled into believing that the eight runs the Gators scored represented the bats coming alive. In fact, what really happened, was Florida was opportunistic. The Gators capitalized on walks and wild pitches that made the scoreboard look much more comfortable. 

    Florida was expected to be a College World Series team based on their balance of pitching and hitting. The pitching has more than done their part with a team ERA of 2.68. Florida has only allowed 43 (34 earned) runs in 13 games. The hitting has lagged so far behind though.  Florida’s hitters are hitting .259 so far this year. 

    Florida’s veteran leaders, JJ Schwarz (.213), Mike Rivera (.233), and Johnathan India (.239) are all hitting in less than a quarter of their at-bats. Each of these players is capable of hitting the ball out of the park at anytime, but only India has hit two homers. (Correction: In tonight’s 3-2 loss to FGCU at home, Schwarz hit a ninth inning solo home run.)

    The fact is that Florida’s pitching trifecta on the weekend is so good, that the Gators can overcome their poor hitting. During the midweek series when Faedo, Singer, and Kowar aren’t pitching, the error margin is so small. 
    Kevin O’Sullivan noticed this against UCF and was visibly upset at the team’s approach. In Florida’s back-to-back losses to FGCU, hitting again was the issue. Florida managed three runs in game one, but only four hits in game two (played at home).  

    Maybe it’s time Florida sat JJ Schwarz for a game or two. Maybe it’s time to send a message and see how these players will react. Florida has only two (semi)regular players hitting over .300. Keenan Bell who has a .400 average in 25 at bats, and Blake Reese who is hitting .318 in 22 at bats. 

    Florida needs to do something, otherwise a CWS appearance is not a given. 

    Does anyone remember how last season ended?  Florida could not hit the ball despite terrific pitching. Two losses on the first two days of the tournament. Just like that it was over. 

    Florida must find answers and will need the likes of Schwarz to hit like he did as a freshman in 2015, not like he has to begin this year.  

    (All statistics used in this article are accurate prior to Wednesday’s game against FGCU).

  • Canyon Barry named SEC Sixth Man of the Year

    Canyon Barry named SEC Sixth Man of the Year

    The Southeastern Conference announced the 2016-17 men’s basketball awards on Tuesday. It was not a surprise to see who garnered Sixth Man of the Year honors. Anyone who has watched Florida basketball at all this season knows who Canyon Barry is, and understands his importance to this team. 

    Barry played in 30 games and started only one, after celebrating senior day. Barry finished second on the Gators in scoring averaging 12.5 points per game. 

    Barry was also instrumental in Florida’s improvement at the free throw line. Barry, who shoots free throws under hand like his hall of fame father, Rick Barry, led the Gators making 88% of his free attempts. 

    Barry transferred to Florida as a graduate transfer. He spent three years at College of Charleston and in 2015-16 Barry led the Cougars averaging 19.7 points. 

    Florida head coach Mike White has often said that Barry accepted the role of sixth man, and that Barry deserves all the credit. 

    The Gators will play in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals on Friday. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 ET. 

  • Mike White named SEC Coach of the Year

    Mike White named SEC Coach of the Year

    Florida men’s basketball head coach Mike White was named the SEC Coach of the Year on Tuesday. White has led Florida to a 24-7 overall record and a 14-4 SEC record that includes a home win against SEC regular season champion Kentucky. 

    White has previously earned conference coach of the year awards at Louisiana Tech. In 2013 White was the Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. In 2015 White was named the Coach of the Year in Conference USA. 

    White and Florida will begin play in the SEC Tournament on Friday. Florida is slated to play at 6:30 ET. 

  • Florida should target someone Stricklin knows well as women’s HC

    Florida should target someone Stricklin knows well as women’s HC

    The University of Florida announced the firing of women’s basketball head coach Amanda Butler on Monday.  Butler spent the last ten seasons as the head coach of Florida, but was terminated on her 45th birthday. 

    There will no doubt be a large pool of candidates to choose from.  Current assitants on Florida’s coaching staff deserve a look including Shimmy Gray-Miller, and Murriel Page. Both are more than deserving of an opportunity. 

    Despite their obvious qualifications of the above assistants, something that Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin said makes me believe that he intends to make a “splash” hire:

    “I believe this program has the resources and support to achieve sustained success and compete for championships.”

    Stricklin isnt just firing a coach that had a bad season. He’s looking to hire a coach that can bring Florida’s women’s basketball team to the level of every other athletic program at the school. 

    Stricklin has been down this road before.  When longtime Mississippi State head coach Sharon Fanning-Otis retired in 2011 Stricklin tapped Vic Schaefer to be the Bulldogs head coach.

    Schaefer hadn’t been a head coach in 15 years, and that experience wasn’t exactly successful. In the 1990’s Shaefer was the head coach at Sam Houston State. He finished his tenure at SHSU with a .421 winning percentage. 

    Schaefer then spent fifteen years as an assistant coach and earned the title of “defensive specialist.”  He won a national championship with Texas A&M in 2011 as an assistant. 

    More impressive is what Schaefer has done at Mississippi State. Schaefer has guided the Bulldogs to a 29-4 and a #6 national ranking. 

    But this isn’t a fluke. Schaefer has a team that has sustained success over the last four years. Mississippi State won 22, 27, and 28 games in the three previous years. If you discount Schaefer’s first season (13-17 overall, 5-11 SEC) at MSU, he has a .768 winning percentage at the school. 

    Vic Schaefer should be the next women’s basketball coach at The University of Florida. Why would he want to come here though?  Well, it’s Florida. And like Stricklin said, all the resources are in place to make this a sustained success story. 

    Florida managed to talk Stricklin into leaving his alma mater to come to Gainesville, surely he can convince someone he hired to follow suit. 

  • Amanda Butler fired after ten years as women’s basketball coach

    Amanda Butler fired after ten years as women’s basketball coach

    The University of Florida’s athletic director Scott Stricklin announced Monday that women’s basketball head coach Amanda Butler would not return next season. 

    “Amanda obviously loves the University of Florida. She worked tirelessly trying to grow the program and help it achieve consistent success and her effort will always be appreciated,” Stricklin said.

    “These decisions are always difficult, and more so in this instance because of the person Amanda is, and how well liked she is throughout the department.”

    Butler, who turned 45 on Monday, was the Florida head coach for the last ten seasons, compiling a 190-137 record, but only won 71 SEC games out of 156.  Her teams made four NCAA Tournament appearances, but never got past the second round. 

    Florida was ranked inside the Top-20 back in December, but the team faltered after the surprise quitting of star Eleanna Christinaki. Florida finished 15-16 on the season and only 5-11 in SEC play.