UF Women Host Jacksonville in Season Opener Friday
Thursday, November 13, 2014 | Women's Basketball
The Gators play host to Jacksonville on Nov. 14, when they officially launch their 2014-15 season - the program's 41st year of varsity competition. Head coach Amanda Butler enters her eighth campaign in charge of the Orange & Blue.
Quick Roster Rundown
· The Gators return six players from last year's team that posted the 14th 20-win season in program history and finished fifth in the SEC regular-season standings. Five of those six players competed in all 33 games.
· Redshirt senior Kayla Lewis is the Gators' leading returning scorer and rebounder, posting averages of 12.2 points and 8.7 rebounds, while hitting 60.2 percent on field goals. She was named Preseason Second Team All-SEC by the league's coaches entering the 2014-15 season.
· Redshirt junior Cassie Peoples averaged 10.3 points, 3.7 assists, 2.7 rebounds and a team-best 1.6 steals per game in her first year suiting up for the Gators.
· Ronni Williams was voted to the 2013-14 SEC All-Freshman Team by the league's coaches and returns after contributing 8.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, along with a team-high 43 blocked shots last year.
Fans Get their Money's Worth!
· Florida has played 92 games over the last five seasons with outcomes decided by 10 points or less - that's an AVERAGE of 18 games per season of thrillers! Florida is 49-43 in those tight ballgames, including 10-7 in 2013-14 and 12 SEC games.
Non-SEC Home Games
· The Gators boast an impressive 55-6 home record against non-conference teams under head coach Amanda Butler.
Gators vs. Florida Foes
· Florida went 4-1 against its fellow Sunshine State opponents in 2013-14.
· The Gators are scheduled to play four games this year versus in-state foes: Jacksonville (Nov. 14), Florida State (Dec. 7), Stetson [DH] (Dec. 14) and North Florida (Dec. 28).
Notes by Numbers
· 1 - Senior on the 2014-15 Gator roster - Kayla Lewis
· 17 in the O'Dome - That's the total number of HOME games the Gators are scheduled to play this season. Florida sports an 86-29 overall home record in seven years under head coach Amanda Butler, including a 55-6 record in non-conference games.
· 1,351 Days – The last time redshirt junior Viktorija Dimaite played an organized basketball game in the U.S.A. was on March 4, 2011, when she helped lead The Rock School in Gainesville, Fla., to the 2011 NACA Division IA national championship. Dimaite tore her left ACL during a non-contact drill during practice on Oct. 5, 2013, and missed the entire 2013-14 campaign. This was the same knee she injured six days prior to the start of the 2012-13 season. There will be 1,351 days (or 3 years, 8 months, 10 days) between March 4, 2011, and Friday's season opener.
Jacksonville (0-0) at Florida (0-0)
Stephen C. O'Connell Center (11,548)
Gainesville, Fla.
Fri., Nov. 14, 2014 * 3:15 p.m. ET
Game Notes (PDF)
· Florida: http://www.gatorzone.com/basketball/women/stats/notes/pre/20141114151500.pdf
· Jacksonville: http://www.judolphins.com/sports/wbkb/2014-15/files/WBB_GameNotes_2014-15_Game_1.pdf
Game Coverage & More!
· Radio: LIVE on ESPN850 WRUF-AM in Gainesville with Adam Schick & Brittany Davis
· Internet Audio: LIVE thru www.Gatorzone.com (FREE) (http://www.gatorvision.tv//mediaPortal/player.dbml?&catid=0&DB_OEM_ID=6500)
· Internet Video: LIVE on SEC Network+ with Larry Vettel & Mark Wise (subscription) (http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/channel/secplus)
· Internet Scoring: LIVE thru Stat Broadcast (FREE) (http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=65546)
· Tickets: $5 for reserved seats; $4 adult general admission; $2 for youth age 17 and under; FREE for UF students
· Parking: FREE in the O'Connell Center lot
Opening Tip
· This is the season-opener for both teams; 41st varsity season for UF.
· Gator women's basketball will make its SEC Network+ debut (online streaming with subscription).
· UF has won 22 of its last 23 home games vs. non-conference teams (exception: 76-68 loss to FSU on 11/21/13).
· UF is 23-17 all-time in season-openers, including 15-6 at home and 5-2 under Butler.
· UF is 2-1 vs. JU overall and 2-0 at home; last meeting was 12/30/09.
Additional Hoopla for Friday's Game
· DOUBLEHEADER with UF men's team
· Presenting Sponsor: UF Health – UF Health will be on site at Gate 1 handing out wristbands.
· Key Tag Schedule Giveaway – The first 500 fans receive Gator men's/women's basketball & gymnastics key tag schedule.
· High-Five Tunnel – Kids 12 & under will have the opportunity to high-five the Gators as they enter the court.
· Rowdy Reptiles Check-In – Students can receive 4 Rowdy Reptile points for attending the game.
For all of the latest information on Florida women's basketball:
Official Website: www.gatorzone.com/basketball/women
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FloridaWomensBasketball
Twitter: @GatorZoneWBK and @CoachButlerUF
Instagram: @gatorzonewbk
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