Florida Women’s Hoops to Tip Off Season Against FAMU

The Florida Gator women’s basketball team will tip off the season on Monday as they host Florida A&M at 5:30 p.m. in Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The women’s game will act as the opener of a doubleheader with the men’s team taking on Stony Brook at 8 p.m.

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Florida’s Last Time Out

In their last time out, Gator Women’s hoops dominated Saint Leo 110-46 in their lone exhibition game on November 2.

Florida junior center Ra Shyla Kyle led the Gators with 16 points and 11 rebounds on the night, with a total of seven Gators putting up double digits. As a team, the Gators shot 40-of-82 (48.8%) from the floor, with 8-of-23 (34.8%) from three-point range.

The Gators impressed on the other side of the ball as well.  Florida held the Lions to 15-of-64 (23.4%) from the field and 4-of-23 (17.4%) from deep. Florida senior guard KK Deans led the Gators with four steals, contributing to a team total of 16 and an impressive 22 turnovers.

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Florida women’s basketball head coach Kelly Rae Finley spoke on the versatility that the Gator roster holds and how it will be a strength for Florida this season.

The Series

The Gators and Rattlers will reunite on the hardwood for the first time since 2019. The Gators hold a 10-5 advantage in the series, last falling to Florida A&M in 2009.

Finley previewed the game, sharing her thoughts on Florida A&M.

Florida women’s basketball has opened their season against in-state opponents a total of 13 times, posting an impressive 11-2 record. This season, the Gators are slated to face off with four in-state opponents, marking the first time since the 2014-15 season that the orange and blue has faced four sunshine state teams.

SEC Preseason Poll

Following an impressive run in the 2021-2022 season, Florida saw a jump in its preseason conference standings.

The SEC media poll has the Gators finishing at No.6, while the SEC coaches poll predicts Florida ending their season at No.7. In both polls, South Carolina, Tennessee and LSU hold the top three spots.

Looking Back on Last Season

Finley spoke on Florida’s ability to make the NCAA Tournament last season and how the team will look to build off the progress that was made.

As Finley took the head coaching job last season, the Gators built a strong chemistry among the team. Finley had the following to say about the current chemistry of the team and how it will translate to their performance on the court this season.

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