Gators head coach Jim McElwain and UF President Kent Fuchs spent Tuesday in Tallahassee. (File photo)
In The (Gator) Zone: McElwain at Gator Day, Horford's All-Star Adventure, more tidbits
Tuesday, February 16, 2016 | General, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gators took over Tallahassee on Tuesday.
Well, the Capitol at least.
It was Gator Day in the home of the Seminoles, an annual event that allows UF students, alumni, faculty, staff and administrators an opportunity to mingle with state leaders and promote the school.
Florida head coach Jim McElwain made the rounds, visiting with Governor Rick Scott's staff and other elected officials. UF President Kent Fuchs also made the trip.
The SEC Swimming & Diving Championships opened Tuesday at the University of Missouri and if the event plays out like many expect, a major storyline will be the battle between the Florida and Auburn men.
The UF men have won three consecutive conference titles, snapping Auburn's 16-year grip on the title in 2013. If the Gators four-peat, expect a big meet from Caeleb Dressel, who has the best time in the SEC in two events this season, the 50-yard freestyle (18.77 seconds) and 100-yard butterfly (45.01). Caeleb Dressel The defending NCAA champion in the 50 free, Dressel is building toward the postseason and the Summer Olympics in Rio.
Florida head coach Gregg Troy considers the competition to win a fourth consecutive SEC title very difficult.
"The top is every bit as good, if not better, than every time before and it extends much deeper,'' Troy said recently. "It's a highly competitive meet."
The UF women are expected to challenge Georgia for the crown. The Gators' only loss in five dual meets during the season came to the Bulldogs.
Senior Natalie Hinds headlines the women. She won four events on Senior Day last month against Auburn, claiming titles in the 50-meter free, 100 free, 100 butterfly and as part of Florida's 400-free relay team.
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REVERSE MOVE
Al Horford was on a beach in Mexico on Friday planning to spend a relaxing break from the grind of the NBA with his wife and young son. Then his cell phone rang.
By 2 a.m. Saturday Horford and his family were in Toronto for the NBA All-Star Game. A former Gators standout, Horford was selected to replace Heat forward Chris Bosh, who withdrew from the game due to a calf injury.
"I discussed it with my wife and she was excited,'' Horford told reporters. "She's like, 'we have to go. We have to get it together.' So we packed all our stuff with our son and flew up here."
The 29-year-old Horford is having another All-Star season for the Atlanta Hawks, averaging 15.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. Horford didn't play much in the Western Conference's 196-173 victory, logging nine minutes for the East.
Former UF star Al Horford at Sunday's NBA All-Star Game in Toronto. (Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images)
However, he made them count by scoring seven points on 3-for-3 shooting, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to end the third quarter. The All-Star appearance was the fourth of Horford's career.
Fortunately, the schedule allows Horford to catch his breath. The Hawks don't play again until they host Miami on Friday night. Atlanta is 31-24 and currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
Horford's name has come up in trade rumors recently and he has said he would like to stay in Atlanta. Easy to understand. He's been on the move enough lately.
"I can't control the level of things that are happening and speculation going on,'' he said. "My focus is on [the All-Star Game], and then once I finish this, to get back to practicing and get back to work."
