NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Fresh off of their best regular season since the 2015-16 campaign, Florida women’s basketball is slated to begin Southeastern Conference Tournament play on Thursday afternoon against the 13th-seeded Vanderbilt Commodores.
The game will be aired live on SEC Network approximately 25 minutes following the 1 p.m. ET game between Arkansas and Missouri. Kyle Crooks and Brittany Davis will handle radio responsibilities on 98.1FM/850AM WRUF.
SETTING THE STAGE
Thursday’s matchup between the Gators and Commodores will be the second meeting between the two squads in a week. Vanderbilt was victorious in the first matchup this season, defeating Florida 63-59 to snap a five-game losing skid to the Gators. Overall, Vanderbilt leads the all-time series, 34-26.
AT THE SEC TOURNEY
Florida owns a 22-41 record all-time at the SEC Tournament, most recently going 1-1 during the 2020-21 campaign. The Gators enter this season as the fifth-seed after winning 10 conference victories for just the fourth time in program history. It’s the highest-seed they’ve entered as since owning the fourth seed in 2016. In the second round of the SEC Tournament, the Gators own a 14-17 all-time mark, falling to Kentucky in the second-round last season.
HEAD. COACH.
Kelly Rae Finley was officially named the permanent head coach of the Florida Gators on Monday, Feb. 28, by Athletics Director Scott Stricklin. Leading the Gators to their first 20-win season since 2016, Finley also has the Orange & Blue on pace to make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since that same year.
Florida’s Accomplishments under Finley
– First 20-win season since the 2015-16 campaign
– Recorded 10 SEC wins for just the fourth time in program history
– Defeated five ranked opponents for the first time since 2005-06
– Defeated five ranked SEC opponents for the first time since 2004-05
– Won six SEC matchups on the road, the most since the 2000-01 season
– Reached highest rank in the AP Poll since the 2008-09 season, going as high as No. 15
– Earned largest-margin of victory over a top-10 school with an 84-59 victory over No. 7 Tennessee
– The victory over Tennessee was the first time that Florida defeated the Lady Vols by more than 10 points
– Florida handed Tennessee their worst loss against an unranked opponent since the AP Poll debuted in 1976
– Handed No. 23 Kentucky their worst home loss since Jan. 27, 2008 with a 77-52 victory
– Recorded a 19-point comeback at No. 25 Texas A&M to earn the program’s first-ever victory in College Station, Texas
– Won 10 non-conference games for the first time since 2015-16 season
SEC HONORS
Kiara Smith and Alberte Rimdal each brought in SEC Postseason honors, with Smith earning First Team All-SEC honors and All-Defensive Team honors while Rimdal was placed on the All-Freshman Team.
Smith has solidified her spot as one of the best to wear the Orange & Blue during her time with the Gators. This season alone, the graduate is averaging 14.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.4 steals per game. In SEC play, Smith has raised her level even further, averaging 17.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.3 steals per game, helping her to two SEC Player of the Week honors during the year. The District Heights, Md., native has scored in double-figures 24 times this season, including a season-best 27 points in a comeback victory at No. 25 Texas A&M.
Rimdal’s placement on the SEC All-Freshman team marked the third-consecutive year that the Gators have placed an athlete on the team. The Koge, Denmark native put together a strong freshman campaign, averaging 4.7 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. During SEC play, the freshman averaged 5.3 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.1 made three-pointers per game.
NAISMITH WATCHLIST
After a 20-6 (10-3 SEC) start for the Gators to the season, Kelly Rae Finley was named one of 15 finalists for the Naismith Coach of the Year Award. She joins Dawn Staley, Kim Mulkey and Kellie Harper as a representative from the SEC.
ELITE DEFENDER
Kiara Smith’s defense has risen to an elite level during the 2021-22 season, sitting at 22nd nationally with a total of 71 steals on the year. She is also ranked 45th in the nation in steals per game, averaging 2.45 during each outing. Those numbers are good for third and fourth in the SEC, respectively.
SMITH IN THE RECORD BOOKS
Points – 12th, 15-1
Games Started – 5th, 115
Consecutive Starts – 3rd, 105
Minutes – 3rd, 3948
Free Throws Made – 5th, 339
Assists – 5th, 433
Steals – 5th, 219
– #GoGators –
