GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida returns to the friendly confines of the O'Connell Center and plays host to Arkansas State on Monday, December 7, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida returns to the friendly confines of the O'Connell Center and plays host to Arkansas State on Monday, December 7, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m.
Game Day Story Lines- Monday's game is the Gator's first at home since defeated Savannah State, 99-34, on Tuesday, November 24 - 13 days ago.
- Florida sports a six-game winning streak into the game.
Where are we? What State are we in?- Monday's game against the Red Wolves is UF's fifth in 13 days that has been played in three different states.
7 Days, 3,902 Miles, 3 States, 4 Games, 4 Wins- The most hectic TRAVEL portion of UF's schedule in finally in its rearview mirror!
- The run began when Florida played host to Savannah State on Tuesday, November 24.
- A little more than 12 hours after defeating the Tigers, 99-34, the Gators bussed 120 miles to the Orlando International Airport and flew 1,481 miles to Colorado to compete in Omni Hotels Classic, Nov. 27 and 28 against Ball State and Colorado.
- The team then departed the hotel in Boulder at 4:25 a.m. on November 29 and returned to Florida, where they bussed from Orlando to Gainesville and arrived at 6 p.m.
- 25 hours later, the Gators boarded another plane – this time out of Gainesville – and flew 350 miles to Mobile, Alabama, where they defeated South Alabama on Tuesday, December 1 and returned home immediately following the game.
After that Crazy Span…- UF will have had a five-day break from competition before playing host to Arkansas State, Monday, Dec. 7
- The Gators return to the road two days later when they fly 1,008 miles to play Wisconsin in Madison, on Thursday, Dec. 10.
Racking up a few more Road Miles- The Gators are in the midst of a five-game stretch where four of them are away from Gainesville.
- UF has two more non-conferences games away from Gainesville: Dec. 10 at Wisconsin and Dec. 30 vs. UCF in Jacksonville
A Gator Win on Monday Would...- Mark the team's first seven-game win streak since the 2013-14 squad won nine straight - a run that spanned from November to January.
- Deliver Amanda Butler the 200th win of her 11-year head coaching career, with 160 of those coming during the last nine seasons with her alma mater
6-1 for Eighth Time- The Gators are 6-1 for the eighth time in program history.
- The last time UF won six of its first seven games was in 2008-09, when the Gators dropped their season-opener (at Florida Gulf Coast) before ripping off 15 straight wins en route to the best start in program history.
- Of the other seven teams that had a similar start, each of those stretched its season-opening record to at least 9-1, with the 1990-01, 1983-84 and 2000-01 squads dropping the 11th game of the year.
- The 1984-85 Gators started 12-1, while the 1995-96 and 2005-06 clubs both went 13-1 to open their respective campaigns.
Florida vs. Arkansas State- Florida leads the all-time series vs. Arkansas State, 2-0
- The teams haven't met since Nov. 14, 1998, when the Gators topped the Red Wolves, 75-65, in the Preseason WNIT in Gainesville.
Quick Scout: Arkansas State- Arkansas State would have entered Monday's game with a perfect 5-0 record if it hadn't been for a layup by Chattanooga with 6.6 seconds to go OR a layup attempt by one of the most efficient shooters in Sun Belt Conference history that rolled off the rim at the buzzer. That said, the Red Wolves are still an impressive 4-1.
- ASU was picked to win Sun Belt Conference
- UF's most recent opponent, South Alabama, was picked 10th in 11-team league
- The Red Wolves start five seniors
- Aundrea Gamble, a 5-9 senior guard, is one of best players and shooters in the country and is averaging a team-leading 17.6 points per game and leads the club in assists (21) and steals (15). She is a two-time Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and - to no surprise - is the 2015-16 preseason pick to win the award.
- Khadija Brown-Haywood, a 5-11, senior forward, is a preseason second-team All-SBC and records 11.0 points and 8.4 rebounds.
- Senior Jessica Flanery also nets a double-figure scoring average with 10.4 per game.
Gator Watch- Ronni Williams, a preseason Second Team All-SEC performer, is UF's leading scorer and rebounder with 13.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.
- Recorded four double-doubles this season, including three straight
- First Gator to record three consecutive double-doubles since Jennifer George posted four in a row from Dec. 4-20, 2012.
- Williams fellow post-mate Haley Lorenzen earned MVP honors at the Omni Hotels Classic, Nov. 27-28 in Colorado, where she compiled 26 points (12-17), 16 rebounds, 4 steals
- Newcomers Eleanna Christinaki and Simone Westbrook lead the Gators with 22 and 21 assists per game, respectively.
Quotes from the Court – UF Head Coach Amanda Butler:On Arkansas State:"They are very, very good in every regard – from the way they are coached, from the things that they do, to individually how talented they are and how well each one of them does their job with such purpose. They are very, very talented team. They are very well balanced and have a ton of confidence, as well."
On individual standouts for ASU:"They are led by (Aundrea) Gamble. She is easily a pro. She's very smooth and can score in a lot of different ways. She runs the point for them but can really score for them from anywhere on the floor. She's also one the steals leaders in the country. When you look at them statistically at who jumps off the page, it's her, but you're crazy if you overlook everybody else because they are all capable of scoring double-figures."
Game Day at a Glance- Who: Florida (6-1, 0-0 SEC) hosts Arkansas State (4-1)
- Where: Stephen C. O'Connell Center (11,548) * Gainesville, Fla.
- When: Mon., December 7, 2015 * 7 p.m. ET
Game Notes Game Coverage & More!- Radio: LIVE on ESPN Gainesville (95.3 FM and 850 AM) with Tom Collet & Jennifer George
- Internet Audio: LIVE thru www.Gatorzone.com (FREE)
- Television: none
- Internet Video: SEC Network + with Adam Schick & Brittany Davis
- Online Streaming: WatchESPN App
- Internet Scoring: (FREE) thru Gatorzone.com
- Ticket Prices:
- $5 – Reserved General Admission (Sections I1, J1)
- $4 – General Admission
- FREE – UF and SFC Students with valid ID
- FREE – Children 17 and Under (in General Admission areas)
- Toys for Tots: Fans who donate a new, unused toy will receive FREE admission to the game!
- Bring 3, Get In Free: Fans, bring 3 kids 17 years of age or younger and receive one FREE general admission ticket!
SEC NETWORK +- WHAT IT IS: Also referred to as SEC Network Plus, this is the digital platform for the SEC Network showcasing live SEC athletic events, inclusive of:
- 550+ digital-only events not available on TV and SEC Network overflow events
- HOW TO WATCH IT: SEC Network + is only available through WatchESPN (accessible through the WatchESPN app and on SECNetwork.com) ... To access SEC Network + on WatchESPN, fans must sign in
Opening Tip- Florida leads the all-time series vs. Arkansas State, 2-0, with last meeting back on Nov. 14, 1998 (tourney at Rutgers)
- Both teams are receiving votes in the national polls
- Monday's game is the lone home contest over five-game span.
- The Gator's last home game was Nov. 24 vs. Savannah State - 13 days go; this is UF's fifth game during that span
- Monday's game will be played in Gainesville, Florida - the fourth different state during the current five-game run
- UF is off to a 6-1 start for the eighth time in program history.
- Florida is one of four teams in the country (thru games played Nov. 27) that has shutout an opponent in a quarter this season
Additional Hoopla for Monday's Game- Rowdy Reptiles Check-in: Students, check-in using the Rowdy Reptiles app and earn 4 points toward great prizes!
- Student Study Break: Gators welcome students to tonight's game for a study break! UF Students will enjoy free coffee, donuts and games before looking ahead to exams!
- Toys for Tots: Fans who donate a new, unused toy will receive free admission to the game!
- >> Donate at entrance to O'Connell Center and drop in bins just inside the doors
- Bring 3, Get In Free: Fans, bring 3 kids 17 years of age or younger and receive one free general admission ticket!
- Family and Friends Night: All Back Court Club members, Gold Card, Platinum Card, and Season Pass holders receive 2 complimentary vouchers to bring family and friends to Florida Women's Basketball!
- Marines Tabling: Representatives from the Marines will be on site handing out information and allow fans to participate in their pull up challenge!
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