Florida begins a two-game road swing against nationally-ranked opponents. The Gators first play at No. 7 and reigning NCAA champion South Carolina at Colonial Life Arena on Sunday at 1 p.m., before playing at No. 14 Texas A&M on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.
Hi Mom!
- Florida has at least 12 games set to be televised this season and Sunday’s game is one of those.
- Courtney Lyle and Andraya Carter are set to call the action for SEC Network.
- SEC Network + will provide live streaming video thru the WatchESPN app.
The Home Stretch
- Including Sunday’s game, only FIVE games remain on Florida’s regular-season schedule, including two at home, before traveling to Nashville for the SEC Tournament, Feb. 28-March 4.
Check this Regular-Season-Ending Stretch!
- The Gators are in the midst of a nine-game stretch against eight teams currently ranked in the top-25.
- The run takes Florida through the end of the regular season:
Date / Opp / RPI thru games Feb. 8
Jan. 25 at #2 Mississippi St. – RPI 3
Jan. 28 #18 Georgia – RPI 23
Feb. 5 at #15 Missouri – RPI 19
Feb. 8 #2 Mississippi State RPI 3
Feb. 11 at #7 South Carolina – RPI 17
Feb. 15 at #14 Texas A&M – RPI 15
Feb. 18 Vanderbilt – RPI 123
Feb. 22 #11 Tennessee – RPI 10
Feb. 25 #18 Georgia – RPI 23
Gators vs. Gamecocks: The Series
- 25-Game Series: UF leads 20-15 (UF Home: 8-8; Away: 10-7; Neutral: 2-0)
- Streak: South Carolina has won the last seven games in the series since Florida rattled off a nine-game streak.
Twice the SEC Fun
- During the 2017-18 season’s 16-game SEC schedule, the Gators will play Georgia (their ‘permanent’ rival), Ole Miss and 2017 NCAA national-runner-up Mississippi State twice.
Florida vs. Ranked Teams
- Florida has lost its last 12 games against nationally ranked teams, including SIX this season: Florida State (Nov. 17), Ohio State (Dec. 6), Mississippi State (Jan. 25), Georgia (Jan. 28), at Missouri (Feb. 5) and vs. Mississippi State (Feb. 8)
Close Ones
- Overall this season, the Gators have played 12 games decided by 10 points or less (4-8 record overall, 1-6 SEC).
Gators for THREEEEEE!
- Entering Sunday’s game, the Gators are averaging 8.5 three-pointers per game and converting at a 31.3 percent clip.
- Thru games played Feb 8, UF ranks tied-No. 31 in the country in threes per game; and No. 26 in total three-pointers made (125).
- Florida has converted double-digit threes in NINE games this year, most recently 10 vs. Kentucky (Jan. 11).
If the season ended today after playing just 24 games …
- The Gators’ 203 three-pointers would be the third-most in a season in program history.
- UF is 17 shy of No. 2 (220 in 32 games in 2010) and 25 threes from tying the most in program history (221 in 32 games in 2009).
- Florida’s 31.1 percent 3-point shooting effort would rank as the NINTH best in a season in program history.
What Else do the Gators do well?
- Aside from hitting the three at an SEC-leading rate:
- Florida DOES NOT FOUL: The Gators rank No. 3 in the country in staying out of foul trouble, being whistled for just 12.6 fouls per game. It wasn’t until Florida’s 16th game of the season that a Gator (Delicia Washington) fouled out – and that didn’t happen until there was 2:45 remaining in the second-overtime period at Ole Miss!
- REBOUND: Florida ranks No. 26 in the country for rebounds per game and No. 2 in SEC Games for rebounding offense.
- Individually, Haley Lorenzen (No. 5), Delicia Washington (No. 9) and Paulina Hersler (T-No. 14) each rank among the SEC’s top-15 for rebounds per game.
Gator Watch
- Through 24 games, Florida is averaging 68.0 points per game, with all five starters averaging double-figure scoring.
- Top two Gator scorers: Funda Nakkasoglu (14.4 ppg) and Haley Lorenzen (12.3 ppg)
- Top two rebounders: Haley Lorenzen (9.3 pg) and Delicia Washington (8.8 pg)
- Assists leaders: Delicia Washington (78 total, 3.4 pg) and Dyandria Anderson (67 total, 2.9 pg)
Who’s Hot!
- During the last FOUR games, Funda Nakkasolgu has totaled 61 points (15.3 pg) over the last four games, connecting on seven three-pointers and hitting 14-of-24 from the line.
Game Day at a Glance
- Who: Florida (10-14, 2-9 SEC) at No. 7/8 South Carolina (19-5, 8-30 SEC)
- Where: Colonial Life Arena (18,000) * Columbia, S.C.
- When: Sun., February 11 * 1 pm ET
Game Notes (PDF):
- Florida – http://floridagators.com/documents/2018/2/9/25_UF_SouthCarolina.pdf
- South Carolina – http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/w-baskbl/scar-w-baskbl-body.html
Gator Game Coverage & More!
- Television: SEC Network with Courtney Lyle & Andraya Carter
- Streaming Video: SEC Network + (WatchESPN app)
- Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1FM / 850AM WRUF and WFXJ-AM930 (Jacksonville) with Kyle Crooks & Brittany Davis
- Internet Audio: link thru FloridaGators.com (FREE)
- Internet Scoring: LIVE thru FloridaGators.com
Opening Tip
- Sunday’s game between No. 7 South Carolina and Florida will be televised live by SEC Network.
- The Gators are playing both of last year’s national finalists in back-to-back games.
- Florida is in game five of a six-game stretch against nationally-ranked opponents. The Gators next play at No. 14 Texas A&M.
- Including Sunday’s game, only FIVE games remain on Florida’s regular-season schedule before traveling to Nashville for the SEC Tournament.
Gator Pronunciations for this Release:
- DYANDRIA Anderson: dee-ANN-dree-uh
- FUNDA NAKKASOGLU: FOON-da knock-a-SO-glue
- DELICIA Washington: duh-LEE-shuh
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