Gators Begin Two-Game Road Swing Sunday

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):

 

Gator Game Coverage & More!

  • Television: SEC Network with Courtney Lyle & Andraya Carter
  • Streaming Video: SEC Network + (WatchESPN app)

o   http://es.pn/2FxSiWX

  • Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1FM / 850AM WRUF and WFXJ-AM930 (Jacksonville) with Kyle Crooks & Brittany Davis
  • Internet Audio: link thru FloridaGators.com (FREE)

o   http://bit.ly/2DDkYRb

  • Internet Scoring: LIVE thru FloridaGators.com

o   http://bit.ly/2F6WsFa


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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