Florida Gators Bait & Bits: College Players Association, Jeff Driskel, Sweet 16, and FLax

Jan 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Northwestern University quarterback Kain Colter speaks during a press conference for CAPA College Athletes Players Association at the Hyatt Regency. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-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

UCLA Bruins Basketball. Florida and UCLA have met three times before and all three games have come in the NCAA Tournament. The Gators own a 3-0 record against the Bruins with one of those wins crowning Florida the national champions and another to the title game. The third game didn’t have as much on the line, but the Gators still defeated the Bruins in the Round of 32 in 2011. The year began Florida’s current streak of three straight Elite 8’s. With a win against UCLA Thursday, Florida would reach the Elite 8 for the fourth straight year.

Bits

College Athletes Can Potentially Unionize. In a ruling by the National Labor Relations Board, Northwestern University football players are employees of the university and could potentially unionize. This is the first step towards college athletes getting paid. Former Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter led the effort, formed the College Athletes Players Association, and it paid off, literally. While I feel that any college aged kid has the potential to make limitless money, there’s something about college athletics that is more meaningful than professional sports. There’s more heart and soul and I hope this ruling doesn’t change that. To read the whole story, click here. Let us know what you think. (ESPN)

Jeff Driskel Running Away with the QB Job. From all reports, the starting quarterback job at the University of Florida is Jeff Driskel’s to lose. Not that it wasn’t before spring practice, but even more so now. Driskel’s looked sharp after recovering from a broken leg. His mobility has also looked good, a sign of good things to come. Driskel’s competition for the QB job include Skyler Mornhinweg and freshman early enrollee Will Grier. A lot of great things are expected of Grier, but it looks like Driskel will keep the job, at least for now. Click here to read quotes from Will Muschamp. (FanSided)

Donovan and Alford Meet for 1st Time. Back in 1987, Florida head coach Billy Donovan and UCLA head coach Steve Alford both participated in the Final Four. Donovan’s Providence Friars lost to Syracuse in the Final Four, while Alford’s Indiana Hoosiers won the national title. This meeting Thursday will be the first time Donovan and Alford have met on the court, but they came oh-so-close 27 years ago. Scott Carter’s story is a really neat one that you must check out. (Scott Carter, GatorZone)

Behind the Scenes Photos at the Sweet 16. If you haven’t followed Tim Casey on Twitter, you need to do so. He’s got some great pictures with the Gators. You can check out the latest photo gallery of the Sweet 16 here. (Tim Casey)

Lacrosse Smokes Stetson. In a total team effort, the fourth-ranked Florida (11-2) lacrosse team dominated the Stetson Hatters 23-1. The Gators set two school-records: Florida put up 46 shots and turned it over only three times. Shannon Gilroy continued her scoring assault as she tallied seven goals, including her 150th in her career. Gilroy had a lot of help, as a season-high 13 Gators scored in this one. (GatorZone)

Thursday’s Schedule:
Track & Field @ Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays (Austin, TX)
Men’s Swimming & Diving @ NCAA Championships (Austin, TX)
9:45pm Men’s Basketball vs UCLA (NCAA Regional Semifinals, Memphis, TN)

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