1 » Despite well-documented problems off the field (marijuana arrests) and a number of questions about his maturity (four children under the age of four supposedly by three different women), former Florida Gators cornerback Janoris Jenkins continues to be a hot name for teams looking for secondary talent in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The Detroit Lions have recently emerged as a team in serious contention for Jenkins’s services with the No. 23 overall pick. However, the team and its front office are undoubtedly doing their due diligence on Jenkins. According to the Detroit Free Press, the Lions met with Jenkins at the 2012 Under Armour Senior Bowl and “are expected to host him on a visit” soon. When asked about him in particular, general manager Martin Mayhew played coy: “Wouldn’t you like to know that?” he said. “Like I said, we’ve got a lot of work to do in the process, and we haven’t done it all.”

2 » Florida senior center fielder Michelle Moultrie picked up a second weekly award on Tuesday as she was named the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Week for her dominant performance the prior weekend. Moultrie went 8/11 with two home runs, three doubles, four RBIs, six runs and a stolen base as UF swept Arkansas on the road. She was also named the SEC Player of the Week on Monday for her efforts.

3 » In a question-and-answer session with ESPN, Gators five-star defensive end/Buck linebacker commitment Dante Fowler, Jr. divulged some specifics about his personality and excitement to don the orange and blue sooner than later. Fowler noted not only that he recently got some advice from junior Buck LB Ronald Powell but also that he is “actually like a big teddy bear” instead of a “big, mean person” that some think he is just because he plays football. “People might say that I’m kind of shy because I put my head down when I talk and stuff,” he said. “But I’m a big teddy bear. My favorite TV show is iCarly. I’m going to be a big teddy bear off the field, but on the field I’m all business.”

4 » USA Today has released a compiled list of the salaries of the 68 head coaches participating in the 2012 NCAA Tournament. Florida’s Billy Donovan came in No. 4 on the list in terms of total pay, earning $3.64 million for 2011-12 with a maximum bonus of $454,000. Though Donovan’s salary and bonuses are high, they are very much in-line with what Kansas’ Bill Self ($3.63M, $425K max bonus) and Michigan State’s Tom Izzo ($3.60M, $425K max bonus) bring in annually. The only men above Donovan are Kentucky’s John Calipari ($5.39M, $850K max bonus), Louisville’s Rick Pitino ($4.81M, $575K max bonus) and Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski ($4.70M). Alabama’s Anthony Grant ($1.84M, $415K max bonus) is ranked No. 18 on the list and Virginia Commonwealth’s Shaka Smart ($1.21M, $621K max bonus) checks in at No. 30.

Tags: Anthony Grant, Billy Donovan, Dante Fowler, Detroit Lions, Draft, Janoris Jenkins, John Calipari, Michelle Moultrie, NFL, Player of the Week, Ronald Powell, SEC, Senior Bowl, Shaka Smart, softball, USA Softball

1 » NFL.com’s Gil Brandt took a look back at the Florida Gators’ Pro Day on March 13 and came away with some very interesting information. He clocked Rainey in at 4.41 and 4.35 seconds in his 40-yard dashes and said that he also impressed while working out at wide receiver. Brandt (among others) believes Rainey is a sure-fire third-round pick in the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft. He also noted that WR Denote Thompson “ran blistering 4.31 and 4.32 40s” and also worked out as a defensive back and “looked good, even though he has no experience playing there.”

2 » Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah was ejected from Saturday’s game after throwing a ball near a referee but was contrite and apologetic on Sunday when asked about the situation. “I don’t know what’s going to happen about that,” Noah said, according to the Chicago Tribune. “I just want to apologize to the ref. I just feel bad for what happened. I just want to apologize to the ref for coming at him like that. It was wrong of me. I was just frustrated. I just hope he reads this and accepts my apology.” The NBA decided not to suspend Noah for his actions, which were not overly aggressive.

Click to expand and read four more BITS in this post.

Tags: Arkansas Razorbacks, Bradley Beal, Chicago Bulls, Chris Rainey, Deonte Thompson, Draft, Hannah Rogers, Joakim Noah, Kenny Boynton, lacrosse, Michelle Moultrie, NBA, NFL, Nora Barry, Ohio State Buckeyes, Ole Miss Rebels, Patric Young, Player of the Week, SEC, Shannon Gilroy, softball, tennis

No. 1 Florida Gators gymnastics lived up to its ranking on Saturday, taking home the 2012 Southeastern Conference Championship in Duluth, GA.

Florida (197.150) defeated Alabama (196.775) for the title, edging past the 2011 NCAA and SEC champion for the Gators’ first conference title in three years. UF also beat Georgia (196.575), LSU (196.425) and Kentucky (194.35) to round out the top five.

The Gators won the vault (49.525) and uneven bars (49.375) outright, shared the top spot in the balance beam (49.050) and came in second on the floor exercise (49.200) on their way to the championship. Florida also picked up three individual titles with freshman Kytra Hunter winning the vault (9.975) and all-around (39.625), and sophomore Alaina Johnson taking home the uneven bars (9.925).

Hunter was named SEC Freshman of the Year at the event’s conclusion, and Florida head coach Rhonda Faehn was recognized the SEC Co-Coach of the Year.

Next up for UF is NCAA Regional action. The Gators will learn of their destination (likely Fayetteville, AR or Auburn, AL) on Monday and begin competition on April 7. The top two teams at each of the six regional events will compete in the NCAA Championships from April 20-22 at the site of Florida’s SEC Championship victory.

Photo Credit: @GatorZoneGym

Tags: Alaina Johnson, Coach of the Year, Freshman of the Year, gymnastics, Kytra Hunter, SEC, SEC Championship

Location: US Airways Center – Phoenix, AZ [Capacity: 18, 422]
Time: 10:17 p.m. (ET)

TV: TBS/TBSHD
SiriusXM: 93/191
Online Video: TBS.com
Live Updates: @OnlyGators

Odds: Florida +2; O/U 146.5

KNOW THE OPPONENT

No. 3-seed Marquette, which has won 15 of their last 18 games dating back to Jan. 11, registered a dominant second-round victory (88-68) over Brigham Young before taking down No. 6-seed Murray State in third-round action to advance to the Sweet 16. The Golden Eagles went 15-5 against Big East opponents in 2011-12 but lost by 17 to Vanderbilt, the only SEC team they played this season.

Forward Jae Crowder, the 2012 Big East Player of the Year, is Marquette’s top weapon, averaging 17.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 block in 33.0 minutes per game. He also shots .504 from the field, .353 from three and .732 from the line. Joining him in leading the Golden Eagles is guard Darius Johnson-Odom, who averages 18.5 points and shoots 38.9 percent from downtown. Marquette does not have any other double-digit scorers but features five other players that see at least 19 minutes of action and score at least 6.5 points per game.

HISTORY and STREAKS

» Florida is making its 15th NCAA Tournament appearance all-time and 12th under Donovan. The Gators are 31-12 all time in the event (27-9 under Donovan) with two national titles in three championship game appearances and four trips to the Final Four. The team is making its seventh Sweet 16 appearance and is hoping to earn its sixth-ever and second-straight trip to the Elite Eight.
» Marquette leads the all-time series against Florida 2-0 winning consecutive games in the 1970s. UF, however, is 16-9 against Big East teams under Donovan.
» The Gators are the first team in the history of the NCAA Tournament to score more than 70 points and allow 50 points or fewer in its first two games.
» The Golden Eagles are making their 30th NCAA Tournament appearance all-time and fifth under Williams. Marquette is in the Sweet 16 for the 15th time and is hoping to reach their seventh Elite Eight and first since 2003.
» Florida has made a three in 686 consecutive games dating back to Jan. 1992.
» The Gators have registered a school record and nation-high in three-pointers this season with 342 over 35 games; the 9.8 treys per game is No. 1 in the country.
» All five of UF’s normal starters are averaging 10.3 points per game or more.
» Florida is 18-2 (two losses to Kentucky) this year when posting a positive assist-to-turnover ratio and are just 7-8 when the margin is even or negative.
» The Gators are 238-39 since 1998-99 when recording 15 or more assists in a game and 290-37 since 1988-89 when holding opponents under 70 points.
» UF is 6-6 against the NCAA Tournament field with four losses coming against No. 1 seeds (Kentucky, Syracuse) and one to a No. 2 seed (Ohio State). Conversely, MU is 9-6 against the same field with losses to a No. 1 seed (Syracuse), No. 3 seed (Georgetown), two No. 4 seeds (Louisville) and a No. 5 seed (Vanderbilt) and others.

Tags: Big East, Billy Donovan, Bradley Beal, Buzz Williams, Casey Prather, Erik Murphy, Erving Walker, Jae Crowder, Kenny Boynton, Marquette Golden Eagles, Patric Young, Scottie Wilbekin, SEC, US Airways Center

1 » Having returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2009, nine-seed Florida Gators women’s basketball (20-12) picked up a hard-fought 70-65 victory over the eight-seed Ohio State Buckeyes (25-7) in first-round action on Sunday. Florida led early and maintained their advantage throughout the contest, eventually pulling away in the final few minutes for the win. Junior forward Jennifer George led the way for the Gators with 16 points (she also added six rebounds), but senior guard Lanita Bartley was the player of the game with 15 points, four boards, three assists and two steals. Florida will now face top-ranked Baylor (35-0) and player of the year Brittney Griner on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. live on ESPN2.

2 » No. 1 Gators baseball (19-1, 3-0 SEC) extended their winning streak to a school-record 17 games, sweeping their series against the Vanderbilt Commodores (7-13, 0-3 SEC) with another pair of wins on Saturday and Sunday. Florida outscored Vanderbilt 23-5 over the weekend, beginning with a 10-2 victory in their Southeastern Conference opener on Friday at McKethan Stadium in Gainesville, FL. The Gators pulled out a 5-1 win on Saturday on the heels of one of junior left-handed pitcher Brian Johnson’s best outings. Johnson improved to 3-0 while recording a career-high nine strikeouts in 6.0 innings and giving up just two singles. UF was up 1-0 through 4.5 innings but scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth including two RBIs apiece from senior right fielder Preston Tucker (1/3, HR, R, BB) and senior center fielder Daniel Pigott (1/5, R). Florida captured Sunday’s contest with an 8-2 victory behind another solid outing from sophomore right-hander Jonathon Crawford (2-1, 5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 K). The Gators offense was fueled by a trio of solo homers from Tucker (1/3, RBI, 2 R, BB), freshman designated hitter Taylor Gushue (1/4, 2 RBI, R) and freshman second baseman Casey TurgeonSEC Player of the Week award in his career on Monday.

3 » No. 4 Florida softball (26-2, 7-1 SEC) also swept a conference opponent over the weekend, taking down the South Carolina Gamecocks (19-12, 2-6 SEC) by a combined score of 17-3 over three days at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville. Sophomore RHP Hannah Rogers and freshman RHP/first baseman Lauren Haeger dominated the weekend for the Gators. Rogers (14-1, S 2) earned two victories and a save, while Haeger (8-1) picked up a win and also went 5/8 over the three-game stretch with a homer, six RBIs and a run scored.

4 » No. 6 Florida lacrosse (8-2) defeated the William & Mary Tribe (2-6) 21-8 on the road Saturday. Junior midfielder Brittany Dashiell led Florida with five goals, and UF added four more each from junior attackers Kitty Cullen and Gabi Wiegand and freshman M Shannon Gilroy.

Tags: Alaina Johnson, Ashanée Dickerson, baseball, Brian Johnson, Casey Turgeon, Daniel Pigott, gymnastics, Hannah Rogers, Jennifer George, Jonathon Crawford, Kytra Hunter, Lanita Bartley, Lauren Haeger, Marissa King, McKethan Stadium, NCAA, NCAA Tournament, Ohio State Buckeyes, Player of the Week, Pressly Softball Stadium, Preston Tucker, SEC, softball, South Carolina Gamecocks, Taylor Gushue, Utah Utes, Vanderbilt Commodores, women's basketball

Location: CenturyLink Center – Omaha, NE [Capacity: 17,260]
Time: 6:10 p.m. (ET)

TV: TNT/TNTHD
SiriusXM: 94
Online Video: TNT.tv
Live Updates: @OnlyGators

Odds: Florida -14; O/U 144

KNOW THE OPPONENT

No. 15-seed Norfolk State, currently on an eight-game winning streak dating back to Feb. 20, won the MEAC Tournament and earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament – both for the first time in school history. NSU also became just the fifth 15-seed to upset a No. 2-seed by taking down Missouri 86-84 on Friday to advance to the third round. The Spartans flashed their talent throughout the season as well, proving that they were a team to be reckoned with after falling by just two points to then-No. 17 Marquette on Nov. 21. Center Kyle O’Quinn, the MEAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, is Norfolk State’s leader in points (16.2), rebounds (10.5) and field goal percentage (.585) while also playing a team-high 31.5 minutes per game. The Spartans have two other double-digit scorers in guard/forward Chris McEachin (13.0) and G Pendarvis Williams (12.1), each of whom shoots well from beyond the arc, but no other player on the team posts more than 6.9 points per game.

HISTORY and STREAKS

» Florida is making its 15th NCAA Tournament appearance all-time and 12th under Donovan. The Gators are 30-12 all time in the event (26-9 under Donovan) with two national titles in three championship game appearances and four trips to the Final Four. The team is hoping to earn its seventh Sweet 16 appearance with a victory on Sunday.
» Norfolk State is making its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament after winning its first MEAC Tournament title in school history.
» UF is 22-0 all-time against MEAC teams (20-0 under Donovan) and has never faced NSU in men’s basketball.
» Florida has made a three in 685 consecutive games dating back to Jan. 1992.
» The Gators have registered a school record and nation-high in three-pointers this season with 332 over 34 games; the 9.8 treys per game is No. 1 in the country.
» All five of UF’s normal starters are averaging 10.4 points per game or more.
» Florida is 18-2 (two losses to Kentucky) this year when posting a positive assist-to-turnover ratio and are just 6-8 when the margin is even or negative.
» The Gators are 238-39 since 1998-99 when recording 15 or more assists in a game and 289-37 since 1988-89 when holding opponents under 70 points.
» UF is 6-6 against the NCAA Tournament field with four losses coming against No. 1 seeds (Kentucky, Syracuse) and one to a No. 2 seed (Ohio State). Conversely, NSU is 2-2 against the same field with two losses to No. 3-seed Marquette and victories over No. 2-seed Missouri and Long Island.

Tags: Anthony Evans, Billy Donovan, CenturyLink Center, Kyle O'Quinn, MEAC, Norfolk State Spartans, Patric Young, SEC

Location: CenturyLink Center – Omaha, NE [Capacity: 17,260]
Time: 2:10 p.m. (ET)

TV: TNT/TNTHD
SiriusXM: 74/193
Online Video: TNT.tv
Live Updates: @OnlyGators

Odds: Florida -3.5; O/U 122

KNOW THE OPPONENT

No. 10-seed Virginia ended the regular season with the fourth-best record in the ACC (9-7) as well as a marquee victory over then-No. 15 Michigan on Nov. 29. The Cavaliers boasted a 12-game winning streak spanning nearly two full months before falling by three on the road to then-No. 6 Duke on Jan. 12. UVA only averages 63.1 points per game but have held 26 of 31 opponents below that total. Forward Mike Scott leads the way for Virginia with 18.1 points (on 56.2 percent shooting) and 8.4 rebounds per game. He has size and strength (6’8, 237 lbs.) and is dangerous in the paint, even more so because he hits free throws at an 81 percent clip.

HISTORY and STREAKS

» Florida is making its 15th NCAA Tournament appearance all-time and 12th under Donovan. The Gators are 29-12 all time in the event (25-9 under Donovan) with two national titles in three championship game appearances and four trips to the Final Four.
» Virginia is making its 16th appearance in the NCAA Tournament but first under Bennett. The Cavaliers, with two Final Four appearances and five trips to the Elite Eight all-time, have not participated in March Madness since 2007 .
» UF’s men’s basketball team will play its first-ever game in Omaha, NE.
» Florida is on a six-game winning streak against ACC opponents and are 19-9 against the conference since Donovan took over the program.
» All five of the Gators’ normal starters are averaging 10.0 points per game or more.
» Florida has made a three in 684 consecutive games dating back to Jan. 1992.
» The Gators have registered a school record and nation-high in three-pointers this season with 328 over 33 games. UF’s 9.9 treys per game is No. 1 in the country.
» Florida is 18-2 (two losses to Kentucky) this year when posting a positive assist-to-turnover ratio and are just 5-8 when the margin is even or negative.
» The Gators are 238-39 since 1998-99 when recording 15 or more assists in a game and 288-37 since 1988-89 when holding opponents under 70 points.
» Virginia boasts the No. 2 scoring defense nationally, allowing opponents to score an average of just 53.7 points per game. The Cavaliers are also ranked 10th in the country in three-point field goal defense (.295).
» UF is 5-6 against the NCAA Tournament field with four losses coming against No. 1 seeds (Kentucky, Syracuse) and one to a No. 2 seed (Ohio State). Conversely, UVA is 2-6 against the same field with two losses to No. 1 North Carolina, one to No. 2 Duke and two to No. 3 Florida State.

Tags: ACC, Billy Donovan, CenturyLink Center, NCAA, NCAA Tournament, SEC, Tony Bennett, Virginia Cavaliers

Sophomore center Patric Young confirmed Thursday in Omaha, NE that he intends to return to the Florida Gators for his junior season, according to multiple reports on the scene for the team’s second-round match-up in the 2012 NCAA Tournament.

The Gainesville Sun’s Kevin Brockway confirmed Young’s declaration in a tweet. The player had previously told The Independent Florida Alligator’s Matt Watts on March 9 that he would be staying for his junior season before reversing course and saying he would make a final decision after the season was over.

Young, a full-time starter for Florida in his second season with the team, is averaging 10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds in 26.3 minutes per game. He is shooting 60.8 percent from the field (all on dunks, layups and short hooks) and 60.5 percent from the line but has been relatively inconsistent for the Gators this year.

Though he has been a strong low-post defender when he keys in on that end of the court, Young is averaging fewer rebounds than many would expect. Scouts believe he should be pulling down double-digits in that category each game.

He also remains a work-in-progress offensively, getting discouraged and failing to continue posting up if he does not receive a fair amount of touches. Head coach Billy Donovan has discussed his player’s maturity and effort level, hoping he can improve as he realizes what it takes to be successful at a higher level of competition.

“There’s a level of requirement that you have to have as a player that, when you step into practice, you’ve got to work on a regular basis to get better,” he said referring to Young. “It’s that up-and-down-ness of, ‘I’m tired, I’m sore, my knee hurts, my foot hurts.’ You can’t one minute say that and then the next minute jump up and tomahawk dunk. That doesn’t make any sense. That’s part of any player growing, and I think Patric is still scratching the surface of understanding who he can be and what he can be on a consistent basis.”

Donovan also hinted that he thought another year at UF would serve Young well.

Continue Reading » Patric Young returning to Florida for junior year

Tags: Billy Donovan, Bradley Beal, Draft, Kenny Boynton, NBA, NCAA, NCAA Tournament, Patric Young, Scholar-Athlete of the Year, SEC, Will Yeguete