Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida plays host to Alabama in its SEC home opener on Thursday at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center, where tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
 
The Gators and Crimson Tide both are coming off losses in their respective league openers played Sunday.
 
While Alabama holds the 29-28 edge in the all-time series, Florida has won the last seven meetings and is aiming to tie the series for the first time since the second game in the 57-game series played on Jan. 5, 1977.
 
Florida actually won the first-ever meeting against Alabama, which then won four straight against the Gators, who have been playing catch-up ever since.
 
Gators vs. Crimson Tide: The Series

• 57-Game Series: UF trails 28-29 (UF Home: 15-7; Away: 10-12; Neutral: 3-10)
• Thursday's game will mark the 58th game in the all-time series, which is the third-longest in UF history
• Streak: Florida has won the last 7 games
• Florida's last loss vs. Alabama: Feb. 13, 2011 (59-64, in Tuscaloosa)          
• Alabama's last win in Gainesville: Feb. 28, 2010 (61-66)

 
Common Opponents

• The only common non-conference opponent Florida and Alabama shared is Jacksonville and both SEC schools netted victories, with the Gators posting a 69-59 win in Gainesville on Nov. 28 and the Tide a 75-60 win in Tuscaloosa on Nov. 16.

 
"Chuck it from the Cheap Seats!"

• The Gators are listening to Coach Cam Newbauer's approach to shooting and has told every member of the team to "chuck it from the cheap seats!" (Coach is a HUGE movie guy and the quote is from "Hoosiers")
• The Gators reset the program record for threes in a game twice already. The new standard stands at 17 after the Nov. 23 performance against Savannah State.
• The team canned 15 three-pointers vs. Richmond (11/21/17) to first break the program record for threes in a game, which was 13 at Arkansas, Feb. 1, 2009.
• Four of the top five single-game records for threes have come under Cam.

 
Gators for THREEEEEE!

• Entering Thursday's game, the Gators are averaging 9.5 three-pointers per game and converting at a 34.6 percent clip.
• Thru games played Jan. 1, UF ranks tied-No. 16 in the country in threes per game; and No. 11 in total three-pointers made (127).
• Florida has converted double-digit threes in SIX games this year, most recently 10 vs. Delaware State (Dec. 27).
• It took just six games for TEN of the 11 players on the scholarship roster to hit at least one trey this season.

 
What Else do the Gators do well?

• Aside from hitting the three at an SEC-leading rate (all games), Florida does not get fouled. The Gators rank No. 2 in the country in staying out of foul trouble, being whistled for just 12.4 fouls per game.
• Through the first 14 games, not one Gator has fouled out this season.

 
What Just Happened

• Florida could not have started its SEC opener against Auburn any better and it could not have finished it any worse, as the Gators dropped an 84-55 decision at Auburn Arena on Sunday.
• The Gators jumped out to an 18-2 lead to start the game and the Tigers outscored Florida, 30-4, in the fourth quarter.
• Florida committed a season-high 28 turnovers that resulted in 33 Auburn points.
• Auburn collected 24 offensive rebounds, the most by a Gator opponent this season.
• The Tigers committed just five turnovers in the game.
• This was UF's second true road game of the season.
• Florida led by as many as 16 points during the first quarter. This was the most the Gators have led in a loss since holding a 17-point, second-half lead against Charlotte on March 24, 2011.

 
Gator Watch

• Through 14 games, Florida is averaging a respectable 73.1 points per game, with all five starters averaging double-figure scoring.
• Top two Gator scorers: Funda Nakkasoglu (15.9 ppg) and Paulina Hersler (12.2 ppg)
• Top two rebounders: Haley Lorenzen (9.4 pg) and Delicia Washington (8.7 pg)
• Assists leaders Delicia Washington (46 total, 3.3 pg) and Dyandria Anderson 46 total, 3.3 pg)

 
Who's Hot!

• During the last two games, three Gators are each averaging a double-figure scoring effort, with Funda Nakkasoglu atop the chart with 14.6 points per game.
• Sydney Searcy is averaging 9.5 points, connecting on 4-of-7 (57.1%) of her three-pointers.

 
 
Game Day at a Glance

• Who: Florida (8-6, 0-1 SEC) hosts Alabama (10-4, 0-1 SEC)
• Where: Exactech Arena (10,151) * Gainesville, Florida
• When: Thu., January 4 * 7 pm ET

 
Game Notes (PDF):

• Florida – http://bit.ly/2CrUTUL
• Alabama – http://www.rolltide.com/news/2017/9/19/womens-basketball-2017-18-game-notes.aspx

 
Gator Game Coverage & More!

• Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1FM & 850AM WRUF with Tom Collett & Kelly Davis
• Internet Audio: link thru FloridaGators.com (FREE)
  • http://bit.ly/2Cv8Uli
• Television: none
• Streaming Video: SEC Network + with Kyle Crooks & Brittany Davis (WatchESPN app)
  • http://es.pn/2Ct0oD7
• Internet Scoring: LIVE thru FloridaGators.com
  • http://bit.ly/1YdNeuV
• Single Game Tickets: Adult, General Admission - $5; Children 12 & Under and UF Students - FREE

 
Opening Tip

• Thursday's game is the SEC home opener for the Gators.
• Florida and Alabama both dropped their respective SEC openers on Sunday, with the Gators falling at Auburn and the Tide to No. 16 Missouri in Tuscaloosa.
• While Alabama leads the all-time series, 29-28, UF has won the last seven meetings and is aiming to tie the series (or not trail) for the first time since the second game in the 57-game series played in 1977.
• The Gators lead the SEC (all games) in 3-pointers made per game (9.5) and threes made (133), while the Tide rank No. 2 in the league for 3-point field goal defense (26.2 percent), as well as No. 3 for steals and blocked shots.

 
Additional Hoopla for Thursday

• Headband Giveaway - The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a Gators athletic headband
• $1 Day - All general admission tickets are $1 and select concessions items are available for $1

 
 
Gator Pronunciations for this Release:

• DYANDRIA Anderson: dee-ANN-dree-uh
• FUNDA NAKKASOGLU: FOON-da knock-a-SO-glue
• Sydney SEARCY: SIR-see
• DELICIA Washington: duh-LEE-shuh

 
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