STORRS, Conn. – Florida women’s basketball will begin their journey in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday afternoon when the tenth-seeded Gators take on the seven seed, UCF, at 3:30 p.m. ET at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn.
The game will be streamed live on ESPNews with Pam Ward and Stephanie White on the call. Kyle Crooks and Brittany Davis will handle radio responsibilities on 98.1FM/850AM WRUF for the Gators.
NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Competing in their 16th NCAA Tournament, Florida owns a 12-15 record all-time, most recently falling to Albany in the first round of the 2016 tournament, 61-59. In the first round, the Gators boast a 9-6 mark, while holding a 2-7 record in the second round. A 10 seed in 2022, Florida’s highest-ever seeding was accomplished in 1997, 1998 and 2001, earning a three-seed in each season. The 1997 campaign saw the deepest run for the Orange & Blue, ending their season in the Elite Eight.
BACK IN STORRS
Saturday won’t be Florida’s first postseason appearance in Storrs, Conn., as the Gators were sent to the northeastern city during the 2008 NCAA Tourney. An eight-seed that season, Florida defeated Temple in the opening round, 70-57, before falling to UConn in round two, 87-59.
WHAT’S IN STORR(S)
Joining the Gators in Storrs, Conn., will be their opponent, No. 24 and seventh-seeded UCF. The Knights currently boast a 25-3 record, including a 14-1 record in the American Athletic Conference. Winners of 13-straight, UCF claimed the regular season and tournament titles in the AAC but have never won a game against the Orange & Blue, trailing the all-time series, 25-0.
In the opening game, host and No. 2 seed Connecticut will welcome 15th-seeded Mercer at 1 p.m. ET on ABC. UConn currently holds a 25-5 record, 16-1 in the Big East, and have won 10-straight while claiming the Big East regular season and tournament titles. UConn is 2-0 all-time against Florida. Mercer enters Saturday with a 23-6 record and 13-1 mark in SOCON play, winners of the SOCON conference tournament. The Gators hold a 5-4 all-time series lead against the Bears.
NAISMITH SEMIFINALIST
Nearly a week after being named the 11th head coach in Florida women’s basketball program history, Kelly Rae Finley was named a semifinalist for the Naismith Coach of the Year Award. In addition to Finley, nine other coaches were named semifinalists, including: Jennie Baranczyk (Oklahoma), Kim Barnes-Arico (Michigan), Nicki Collen (Baylor), Jeff Judkins (BYU), Wes Moore (NC State), Kim Mulkey (LSU), Dawn Staley (South Carolina), Tara VanDerveer (Stanford) and Jeff Walz (Louisville). The winner will be announced on March 30.
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 in their first NCAA Tournament since that same year.
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.
RANKED
During the season, Florida found themselves hovering in the Top 25 throughout the middle portion of the year. The Gators, during a strong run in SEC play, reached 15th in the polls, their highest ranking since 2008-09.
ONE OF THE BEST
After suffering a season-ending knee injury at the SEC Tournament, Kiara Smith ends her career as one of the best players to wear the Orange & Blue. Below is how the graduate ends her career in the UF record book.
Points – 12th, 1501
Games Started – 5th, 115
Consecutive Starts – 3rd, 105
Minutes – 3rd, 3948
Free Throws Made – 5th, 339
Assists – 5th, 433
Steals – 5th, 219
– #GoGators –
