Post Game Quotes:

Amanda Butler:

On her teams response after a loss:

“We had such a great response and showed so much resilience in the face of a big, disappointing loss. I thought we had a champion’s response yesterday in practice and certainly that carried over into our efforts tonight. We put together a really complete ball game and I thought we played both ends very well. Certainly not perfectly at times, but we played very hard, with a lot of effort and for most of the ball game, a lot of discipline. I think we saw a lot of growth in a lot of different areas and determination and things that make us a really good ball team. We just have to strive to have that same hunger, that same edge, that same feeling and that same level of confidence going forward.”

On second half resilience:

“One of the things that was just a real strength of Harvard’s was their second-half scoring. Leading up to this game, they were scoring like 60 percent of their offense in the second half. It was great for us to set that tone, but we knew by no means did we feel like they were put away. They’ve come back on a lot of different teams and in a lot of different circumstances. I think it gave us a lot of confidence and we saw that confidence carry from the first half into the second. The thing that I was proud of was that this was the first ball game that we had the lead, a double-digit lead in particular, where we then didn’t relax and relinquish the lead. Again, just another area we are seeing some growth.”

Next up the Gators play away in Hampton, VA against Hampton University at 6 pm and then host the Gator Holiday Classic December 20th through the 21st. Check back for more coverage on this and more Gator basketball in the coming days.

Georgia is off to the best start in school history, and is also one of the only five teams that are still left undefeated.

Florida was led by Jordan Jones with 13 points and teammate Jennifer Mossor put up 11.

The Gators trailed 33-17 with only a couple minutes left in the first half and just a little over a minute they sunk three 3-pointers to cut the lead down 33-26 going into halftime.

But Georgia answered back from a three pointer by Robinson that put them up twelve. It seemed like Florida would kind of cut the lead down a little but Georgia would end up making a little run and knock the lead back up to double-digits.

The lady Gators are back in action on Thursday when they host Tennessee at 7pm.

“She was playing flag football and ripped her Achilles,’’ UF assistant coach Susie Gardner said Monday. “She’ll recover nicely.

You know I thought the coach was the ones who had to worry about the players getting hurt, now it’s the players who have to watch out for their coach.

Butler was playing quarterback on Sunday when she got injured.

Coach Amanda Butler and her lady Gators will face Stetson on November 4 for the season opener.

(Quote gathered by Gator Report)

It opened up with the Star Spangled Banner by the talented UF gospel choir and at the end amazing fireworks were launched into the sky in the north endzone of Ben Hill.

The Gator Growl theme was “Legends Of The Swamp” hosted by former Gator Danny Wuerffel, and let me tell you this. He is one funny character. He really did give Gator Nation a good laugh. The home coming king and queen were also announced tonight.

Moments later, both basketball coaches Billy Donovan and Amanda Butler along with their players got a huge kick in tonight. After both teams were introduced, they sort of had a karaoke battle between the boys and girls. The lady Gators danced to the I’m too sexy song but didn’t really sing. Sad to say it, the boys ended up winning the battle. I don’t think the girls had a chance against Billy’s squad. They sang and carried on the whole time to a different song. Junior forward Chandler Parsons and sophomore guard Adam Allen took control and started the singing. The fans really got a few chuckles in.

What also was real funny were each and every little skit that was played on the video board. There were short videos that were mainly making fun of Arkansas, FSU, Kiffin and the vols. It was hilarious. One included FSU- the worst university in the Nation. Other videos were made by current UF students, dealing with things such as marijuana, girls, partying etc. I didn’t think they would show the kind of stuff they did tonight, but hey…. it’s college..

The Florida Gator 2009 seniors were introduced along with head coach Urban Meyer. Each seniors name was called and they had an option to speak if they wanted. Brandon James, Stamper, Spikes and the other seniors wanted to thank Gator Nation for everything they have done over the years. They told all the fans they loved them and how much they meant to them, and how there is no better place to be then in Gainesville. It was very emotional. For me that is. Meyer wanted to have some fun at the end. Everyone knew they were saving Tebow for last. But when everyone thought Tebow was next, Meyer faked the crowd out by calling someone else out to be introduced. You could see all the cameras being held up at the time and then the let down after they knew they were fooled. But the next player Meyer called out was really the star senior quarterback from Jacksonville, FL. Two National champion and Heisman trophy winner Tim Tebow. He got a standing ovation from the fans and a couple straight minutes of cheering. The last home coming for Tebow, it was real emotional. We got some footage as well that you may see at the end of this story.

I don’t think there was anything funnier than the comedian from Saturday night live, Dana Carvey. That man had the crow rolling from the second he got up there, to the minute he left. He also set his new record of the most people impressions in a minute. He went from talking about sex, to Barack Obama and George W. Bush. It was insane.

There was also a real talented group called the Jabbawockeez. Followed by them and who also closed the Gator Growl night were the local band O.A.R. Pretty talented band who played in front of the fans.

Overall though, it was a great night. It was said to be the largest and most loudest ever. This was the 86th year that this event has took place and will continue to be a popular event here at the University of Florida.

The Gators are set to face the Arkansas Razorbacks tomorrow for the home coming game at 3:30 pm.

Photo belongs to GSN

The Princeton Review survey of 122,000 students shows that the new 2009 party school belongs to Penn State which I do not agree with at all. Last visit I made around the Penn State area, I hardly saw any bars or anything around, it looked just like an old boring country placed. Evidently I missed the spots where they have all the fun at. Who knows. But what I do know is that there is no better place to party than <a href=”http://www.gainesvilleflorida.com” title=”Gainesville Florida, Alachua County, Florida Gators”>Gainesville Florida</a>. It’s one of the craziest places ever. This is also Penn States first first place finish in history. Here are the results for the top 20 party schools.

1. Penn State University, State College, Pa.

2. University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.

3. University of Mississippi, Oxford, Miss.

4. University of Georgia, Athens, Ga.

5. Ohio University, Athens, Ohio

6. West Virginia University, Morgantown, W.Va.

7. University of Texas, Austin, Texas

8. University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.

9. Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla.

10. University of California-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, Calif.

11. University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo.

12. University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

13. Union College, Schenectady, N.Y.

14. Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.

15. DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind.

16. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn.

17. Sewanee: The University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn.

18. University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, N.D.

19. Tulane University, New Orleans, La.

20. Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz.

Brooks, a 5-foot-7 guard from Jackson, Tenn., had a fantastic senior season for the Gators, averaging 16.4 points, 4.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game. She was a major reason Florida made it back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006 and the first time under Coach Amanda Butler, who just finished her second season at UF. Florida beat Temple 70-57 in the first round of the NCAA tournament before losing 87-59 to eventual champion UConn in the second round. It was the team’s best finish since the 2003-04 season.

She led UF in four different categories (scoring, assists, made free throws and free-throw attempts) and was second in the SEC in scoring. Brooks has her name all over Florida’s record book. She is ranked No.1 in consecutive starts (123), total starts (125), made free throws (430), and free-throw attempts (550). She is also third all-time in steals (242) and 3-pointers (212). An interesting fact I thought I would throw out there is that Sha Brooks did not start playing basketball until she was in middle school. Look at all the hard work that has paid off for her now.

GSN recently sat down with Brooks to ask a few questions.

GSN:  How did it feel playing for coach Amanda Butler?

Excited because she was a gator and was very prideful. I knew that we would work hard and have a chance of doing something great.

GSN: What was your most memorable moment at University Of Florida?

I don’t have any really, my whole experience at UF has been a memorable moment. I guess just been about of Gator Nation and accomplishing some of my goals.

GSN:  How does it feel to get drafted to the WNBA?

Its a great feeling it’s always been my dream since I was little. So to actually see it have is the best thing that has happened to me.

GSN:  Who do you give the most credit for your success?

God, family, my teammate, and all my coaches.

GSN: What basketball player did you idolize when growing up?

Michael Jordan.

GSN: What advice would you give younger players to be able to play at the next level?

Just to keep working hard, stay focus and never let someone tell u that u can’t do something.

Florida out rebounded Temple in the second half 22-12 in the 70-57 victory in the NCAA tournament which was Florida’s first NCAA tournament win since 2004. They knew it was time for a change and the change had been made.

Sha Brooks mentioned how Temple was much tougher than they were in the first half, allowing them to grab extra offensive rebounds, diving and recovering the loose balls. But that did not happen in the second half.

The lady Gators have a tough game ahead of them as they will face unbeaten Connecticut who is 34-0. Florida will need to come up with everything they have. Play like it is the last game of their college career. The intensity needs to be up, mental and physical toughness needs to show if they want to advance and pull an upset on this very good ball club.

In Florida’s victory over Temple, Sha Brooks led the Gators with 18 points, while teammates Marshae Dotson and Steffi Sorensen both added 13 a piece. Sorensen recorded her first career double-double at Florida after grabbing 13 boards.

The Gators really need to eliminate turnovers as well. 21 turnovers against Temple is not very good and it sure will not help them get past the Huskies if it happens again. But solid defense and taking care of the ball will lead to an upsetting victory for the lady Gators.

The Florida Gator women’s basketball are ranked 4th seed and will play in the 2009 SEC tournament starting Friday at 7:30pm. Who they play is still not announced. It will be between number 5th seed Tennessee or 12th seed Alabama. I would love it if they got to play against Alabama, but still it’s not a cake walk.

If you are a fan and would like to watch or be able to listen to the game on Friday, here are some options for you.

Radio: Rock 104 – 103.7FM (Gainesville), XM Ch. 199, Sirius Ch. 217

T.V: FOX Sports Florida, Sun Sports, Fox Sports South, DirecTV Ch. 655 (nationwide), DISH Network Ch. 452 (nationwide)

Listen online: Listen online for free.

I can not explain how big of a win this was for the lady Gators. One, Pat Summitt has a great talented ball club and the victory was not a cake walk for Florida. And secondly, this win holds the Gators at the top of the SEC standings.

Florida (18-2, 8-1) found there selves down by seven late in the second half but then decided to turn their game up and start playing the way coach Butler taught them to. Sha Brooks stepped up and made a couple big time three’s late in the game to help the Gators creep up from behind. Brooks defensive effort was amazing tonight after taking a charge that gave Florida the possession which turned into a 12-2 run.

Junior Steffi Sorensen knocked down a big three to put Florida up by 5 with just over 2 minutes remaining in the contest. Brooks overall performance was incredible. Sha played 38 out of a total 40 minutes of the game scoring 29 points and collecting seven rebounds. Other than the great defense Florida played, I think the 8,060 fans in O’Connell Center got these players fired up and hungry for a win.

Tennessee was led by Angie Bjorklund with 16 points.

Florida will be back in action next Thursday for another SEC match up against Vanderbilt. Tip off will be held at 7pm.