Chandler Parsons News

The struggling Florida Gators hope to get back to their winning ways as they entertain the American University Eagles tonight at the O'Connell Center in Gainesville.

Published: Sunday, December 27, 2009 at 2:08 p.m. Last Modified: Sunday, December 27, 2009 at 2:08 p.m. It was a rough week for Florida fans.

Published: Monday, December 21, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. Last Modified: Monday, December 21, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. Throughout Florida coach Billy Donovan's 14-season tenure, the Gators have built an identity around getting up and down the floor and scoring points in transition.

Published: Monday, December 21, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. Last Modified: Monday, December 21, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. Throughout Florida coach Billy Donovan's 14-season tenure, the Gators have built an identity around getting up and down the floor and scoring points in transition.

Tim Williams scored 21 points, DeAndre Hersey had a putback with 1.8 seconds remaining and South Alabama stunned No.

When/where: 7; O'Connell Center, Gainesville TV/radio: BHSN; 620-AM Records: South Alabama 8-4; Florida 8-2 Notable: After opening 8-0, the Gators have lost back-to-back games.

Because of all the injuries, Florida has been reduced to scrimmaging three-on-three at times in the past few days.

When Florida plays Richmond this weekend, the Gators will have had nine days off sincetheir firstloss of the season to Syracuse, but injuries have made practice more of a challenge than coach Billy Donovan would like this time of year.

We're officially one month into the regular season, and non-conference play continues to heat up.

Florida was rolling. The Gators connected on six straight 3-pointers against Syracuse's zone defense.

Rick Jackson recorded 21 points and 13 rebounds, and Wesley Johnson added 17 and 10, as No.

Florida coach Billy Donovan has fond memories of Veterans Memorial Arena. He's 7-0 there, including two wins in the 2006 NCAA tournament that turned out to be the first steps in winning consecutive national titles.

They might be able to stay there a while, too. The 13th-ranked Gators jumped into The Associated Press college basketball poll Monday after wins against rival Florida State, then-No. 2 Michigan State and Rutgers last week.

Before this season, Florida coach Billy Donovan said one of his greatest challenges is returning his program to prominence.

The Florida basketball team is ranked again. How long this appearance in the Associated Press Top 25 lasts depends on whether the Gators have learned from how they handled their last three appearances - only one of which lasted longer than a week.

Fresh off impressive wins against Florida State, then No. 2 Michigan State and Rutgers, Florida jumped all the way to 13th in this week's Associated Press Top 25 poll in men's basketball and 17th in the USA Today coaches' poll on Monday.

The Florida Gators upset the second ranked Michigan State Spartans 77 - 74 Friday night in Atlantic City, New Jersey, giving the young Gators a signature non-conference win that could pay big dividends come tournament time.

Published: Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 6:01 a.m. Last Modified: Friday, November 27, 2009 at 12:00 a.m. Florida coach Billy Donovan and Michigan State coach Tom Izzo already have played against each other with a national championship at stake.

Erving Walker hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:56 left and Florida hung on to upset No.

Somebody should alert the Alachua County Sheriff's Office to put out an all-points bulletin for the whereabouts of Florida 's soft, physically challenged basketball team.