Erving Walker News

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.

It has been hard for the Florida basketball team to get much done in practice the past two days.

Jacinta Monroe scored 18 points and Alexa Deluzio added 17 points to help No. 12 Florida State bounce back from its first loss of the season and beat Hawaii 83-39 Monday night.

A favorable three-game home stretch to close out 2009 might be what Florida needs to help break out of its current rough stretch.

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

Kevin Anderson scored 14 points and made four free throws in the final seconds to lift the Richmond Spiders over the 13th- ranked Florida Gators, 56-53, in the Orange Bowl Classic.

Jacinta Monroe scored 14 points to lead No. 12 Florida State to a 78-50 victory over Alcorn State on Sunday.

Florida's defense has been exposed by the two ranked teams it has faced. The Gators won't be facing a Top 25 team on Saturday, but their opponent isn't a pushover either.

Published: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 3:56 p.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 3:56 p.m. No.

Prime Matchup : Florida's Kenny Boynton, left, had 15 points and six assists in the Gators' win over Jacksonville on Saturday.

The #7/6 Syracuse Orange travel to Tampa, Fla. to take on the #10/11 Florida Gators on Thursday, Dec.

No. 10 Florida vs. No. 7 Syracus e When/where: 9; St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa TV/radio: ESPN; 620-AM Records: Florida 8-0, Syracuse 8-0 Tickets: Call Ticketmaster toll-free 1-866-858-0008 or visit ticketmaster.com Notable: The Gators and Orange meet in the second game of a doubleheader in the Big East/SEC Invitational.

Vernon Macklin doesn't hesitate to be honest when asked. Yes, there were times last season, often in fact, when he wasn't sure if he had made the right decision in coming to Gainesville.

Florida is 8-0 for the third time in school history going into the game at 9 tonight against Syracuse in the SEC-Big East Invitational at the St.

Pitt's Ashton Gibbs compared it to a YMCA game. Brad Wanamaker couldn't recall a similar game since his 8 and under league.

Published: Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 6:01 a.m. Last Modified: Friday, December 4, 2009 at 12:10 a.m. It took close to a month for Florida junior center Vernon Macklin to transform from a big body in the paint to a productive post presence.

Darryl Bryant had the ball when the buzzer sounded late Sunday, big smile on his face.

WHO: Florida A&M at No. 13 Florida TIPOFF: 7 p.m. at O'Connell Center in Gainesville TV: FSN/FS Florida ; RADIO: 540 AM BUZZ: Florida, ranked for the first time this season, is fresh off one of its best weeks in years with wins over Florida State , former No.

The 13th-ranked Florida Gators play their first true road game of the season this evening, as the invade Veterans Memorial Arena for a in-state showdown with the Jacksonville Dolphins.

Expectations are suddenly rising for the Florida men's basketball team. After back-to-back NIT appearances, Billy Donovan 's Gators are showing signs of a resurgence.