Bait & Bits: A Look Back at Senior Day, Joakim Noah, the Rowdy Reptiles, Track & Field Honors and Lacrosse
By Brett Kaplan
Mar 8, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators forward Casey Prather (24), guard Scottie Wilbekin (5), forward Will Yeguete (15) and center Patric Young (4) are introduced for senior day prior to the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: ©Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Welcome to Bait & Bits, a series on Hail Florida Hail that will feature one “bait” about an opposing school and some bits about the Gators. Have any links that you want on Bait & Bits? Tweet it at us @HailFloridaHail or @BrettKaplan13 or email it to us at BrettKaplanHFH@gmail.com.
Bait
Kentucky Wildcats Basketball. Saturday’s 84-65 win was Florida’s largest home-win over Kentucky ever. Patric Young led the Gators with 18 points.
Bits
Senior Day Video.
It’s OK to shed a few tears when you watch this. This is the most loved and one of the most accomplished senior classes in Florida basketball history. After the best regular season in Gators history, Florida’s new motto may be “18-0 and more to go”.
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Michael Frazier II Earns SEC Player of the Week. The only Gators starter who’s not a senior ended up with SEC Co-Player of the Week honors. Sophomore Michael Frazier II earned the award after his 37 point performance Tuesday at South Carolina. Frazier hit a SEC and Florida record 11 three’s, shooting over 61% from beyond the arc. For the week, he averaged 23 points, 1.5 rebounds, 3 steals, 52% from the field, and 56% from three-point range. It’s Frazier’s second time this season receiving the honors. (GatorZone)
Will Yeguete on SEC’s Community Service Team. The SEC named their Community Service Team and Will Yeguete was Florida’s representative, deservedly so. Yeguete has been involved in the Gainesville community since he arrived, becoming a part of the Goodwill Gators. He’s visited UF Health’s intensive care unit, cancer area, and other parts of the hospital on a regular basis. He’s also formed a really special relationship with a boy, named Kaedyn, who has been coming to Gainesville for Leukemia treatment. He also takes every opportunity presented to him to interact with the community. You can see some of his efforts here. (GatorZone)
Personal Journeys for Florida’s Elder Statesmen. Sport’s Illustrated‘s Andy Staples went inside the Florida program to take a look at Florida’s senior class. This piece is really good from a national writer. Check it out here. (Andy Staples, Sports Illustrated)
A Look Inside the Rowdy Reptiles. GatorCountry‘s Richard Johnson spent the night with the Rowdy Reptiles leading up to Florida’s win over Kentucky last Saturday. Here’s his narrative of his time spent with the Rowdies. (Richard Johnson, GatorCountry)
The Lack of One-and-Dones at Florida. Johnson’s been busy this week. In this article, Johnson takes a look at why Florida hasn’t had the rash of one-and-dones like seemingly the rest of the country. (Richard Johnson, GatorCountry)
Yannick and Joakim Noah are
Emotional
,
to Say the Least.
‘s
caught up with 1983 French Open champion Yannick Noah, who also happens to be former Gator Joakim Noah’s father. He was held pretty much speechless as he was watching the action on the court, and, most notably, his son put on a show against the Miami Heat. It’s good to see a father who still has so much pride in his son. Check out the video:
T&F’s Mike Holloway Named Women’s Coach of the Year. Florida track & field’s head coach Mike Holloway was named the USTFCCCA South Region Indoor Women’s Coach of the Year. Arman Hall and Cory McGee were also named to the USTFCCCA South Region Indoor Men’s and Women’s Athlete’s of the Year as well. (Antoya English, Tampa Bay Times)
Lacrosse Up to No. 4 in Latest Rankings. After Florida defeated No. 12 Loyola in comeback fashion 14-13, and beat ALC foe Michigan 20-4, the Gators moved up the rankings to number four in both the Brine Media and the IWLCA polls. With a 7-1 record, Florida’s only loss is to the current top-ranked team, North Carolina. (GatorZone)
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