Florida Gators

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Florida takes its longest road trip (distance-wise) of the season, traveling the 952 miles from Gainesville to College Station, Texas, to play No. 17 Texas A&M at Reed Arena on Thursday at 8 p.m.
 
The game is the final one of a six-game span against ranked opponents for the Gators.
 
Ranked Run

• Each of the last five games have been against ranked opponents and the Gators have been impressive during the run despite not landing a victory.
• Three of the games have been on the road.
• Three of the games have been decided by single digits.
• UF played Mississippi State twice during the run and the Bulldogs are the only team the Gators couldn't quite reel in.
• The Gators led Georgia and South Carolina by 10 points and Missouri by five points but just weren't quite able to finish the job.

 
Hi Mom!

• Florida has at least 12 games set to be televised this season.
• While Thursday's game is not one of those televised, fans can tune in online: SEC Network + will provide live streaming video thru the WatchESPN app.

 
The Home Stretch

• Including Thursday's game, only FOUR games remain on Florida's regular-season schedule, including two at home, before traveling to Nashville for the SEC Tournament, Feb. 28-March 4.

 
Check this Regular-Season-Ending Stretch!
The Gators are in the midst of a nine-game stretch against eight teams currently ranked in the top-25.
The run takes Florida through the end of the regular season:

• Date / Opp / RPI thru games Feb. 11
• Jan. 25   at #2 Mississippi St. - RPI 3
• Jan. 28   #20 Georgia - RPI 22
• Feb. 5    at #13 Missouri - RPI 16
• Feb. 8    #2 Mississippi State - RPI 3
• Feb. 11  at #8 South Carolina - RPI 17
• Feb. 15  at #17 Texas A&M - RPI 18
• Feb. 18  Vanderbilt - RPI 121
• Feb. 22  #11 Tennessee - RPI 7
• Feb. 25  #20 Georgia - RPI 22

 
 
Gators vs. Aggies: The Series

• 8-Game Series: UF trails 1-7 (UF Home: 1-2; Away: 0-4; Neutral: 0-1)
• Streak: Texas A&M has won the last three games in the series, including two last year - one of which was in the second round of the SEC Tournament

 
17 in a Row!

• Entering Thursday's game, Florida has successfully converted 17 consecutive free throws.
• The last miss came with 18 seconds remaining in the Jan. 28 game against Georgia (by Funda Nakkasoglu, who went 7-for-10 in the game).

 
Close Ones

• Overall this season, the Gators have played 13 games - including eight in the SEC - decided by 10 points or less (4-9 record overall, 1-7 SEC).

 
Gators for THREEEEEE!

• Entering Thursday's game, the Gators are averaging 8.5 three-pointers per game and converting at a 31.3 percent clip.
• Florida has converted double-digit threes in NINE games this year, most recently 10 vs. Kentucky (Jan. 11).

 
Three or Free?

• Florida has converted almost as many three-pointers (212) this season as made free throws (226).

 
You Hit a 3 ... and You Hit a 3 ...

• It took just six games for TEN of the 11 players on the scholarship roster to hit at least one trey this season.
• SIX different Gators have totaled double-digit three-pointers this season.

 
If the season ended today after playing just 25 games ...

• The Gators' 212 three-pointers would be the third-most in a season in program history.
• UF is 8 shy of No. 2 (220 in 32 games in 2010) and 9 threes from tying the most in program history (221 in 32 games in 2009).
• Florida's 31.3 percent 3-point shooting effort would rank as the NINTH best in a season in program history.

 
What Else do the Gators do well?
Aside from hitting the three at an SEC-leading rate:

• Florida DOES NOT FOUL: The Gators rank No. 2 in the country in staying out of foul trouble, being whistled for just 12.4 fouls per game. It wasn't until Florida's 16th game of the season that a Gator (Delicia Washington) fouled out - and that didn't happen until there was 2:45 remaining in the second-overtime period at Ole Miss!
• REBOUND: Florida has lost the rebounding battle just four times in 12 SEC games. The Gators rank No. 3 in SEC Games for rebounding offense.
• Individually, Haley Lorenzen (No. 8), Delicia Washington (No. 6) and Paulina Hersler (No. 13) each rank among the SEC's top-15 for rebounds per game.

 
What Just Happened

• Funda Nakkasoglu scored 21 points to lead three Gators in double-figure scoring and Florida came up just short of upsetting No. 7 and reigning NCAA champion South Carolina, which took the 64-57 decision Sunday.
• The game was tied at halftime and Florida trailed by just four entering the fourth quarter and the Gators battled until the final buzzer in front of 15,385 Gamecocks fans.

 
Gator Watch

• Through 25 games, Florida is averaging 66.9 points per game, with all five starters averaging double-figure scoring.
• Top two Gator scorers: Funda Nakkasoglu (14.7 ppg) and Haley Lorenzen (12.3 ppg)
• Top two rebounders: Haley Lorenzen (9.0 pg) and Delicia Washington (8.8 pg)
• Assists leaders: Delicia Washington (88 total, 3.5 pg) and Dyandria Anderson (72 total, 2.9 pg)

 
Who's Hot!

• During the last THREE games, Funda Nakkasolgu is averaging 15.0 points - connecting on 9-of-19 three-pointers (47.4 percent).
• Delicia Washington has knocked down all eight of her free throw attempts during the last three games, while collecting a team-high 6.3 rebounds with 14.3 points and dishing 13 assists.

 
Previewing the Game
Links to the interviews:

• Coach Cameron Newbauer – https://youtu.be/pmnbRJZ4FDY
• Senior Haley Lorenzen – https://youtu.be/SqmDYW_pJd8
• Junior Funda Nakkasoglu – https://youtu.be/lTHx_aFlLVE

 
 
Game Day at a Glance

• Who: Florida (10-15, 2-10 SEC) at #17 Texas A&M (19-7, 8-4)
• Where: Reed Arena (12,989) * College Station, Texas
• When: Thu., February 15 * 8 pm ET/7 pm CT

 
Game Notes (PDF):

• Florida – http://bit.ly/2BWLcxH
• Texas A&M – http://12thman.com/index.aspx?path=wbball

 
Gator Game Coverage & More!

• Television: none
• Streaming Video: SEC Network + (WatchESPN app)
  • http://es.pn/2DMafk7
• Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1FM / 850AM WRUF and WFXJ-AM930 (Jacksonville) with Kyle Crooks & Brittany Davis
• Internet Audio: link thru FloridaGators.com (FREE)
  • http://bit.ly/2DAKYNZ
• Internet Scoring: LIVE thru FloridaGators.com
  • http://bit.ly/2E5at6M

 
Opening Tip

• Thursday's game is Florida's final one in a six-game stretch against nationally-ranked opponents.
• The Gators' 212 three-pointers rank as the third-most in a season in program history. UF is eight shy of No. 2 (220 in 32 games in 2010) and nine from tying the most in program history (221 in 32 games in 2009).
• Including Thursday's game, only FOUR games remain on Florida's regular-season schedule before traveling to Nashville for the SEC Tournament.
• As a team, Florida has converted its last 17 free throw attempts.
• The Gators have played 13 games decided by 10 points or less (4-9 record overall, 1-7 in SEC games).

 
 
Gator Pronunciations for this Release:

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

 
 
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