PREVIEW: UF Women’s Basketball Team Hosts Florida State

The Gators welcome the Seminoles to the O’dome tonight and tip-off is set for 5:30PM. The incomparable and indescribable rival between Florida and Florida State meet once again.

Florida is looking to rebound from falling short to Temple on Friday night with the final score 97-91. There were a total of 56 free throw attempts and 49 personal fouls called during this game. Making free throws are crucial to winning in the game of basketball, and the Gators only made 12 free throws after being sent to the line 21 times compared to the Owls making 28 free throws after being to the line 35 times. But on the side, 12 different Gators scored, 11 blocked shots by the Gators, and guard Cassie Peoples kept the up-tempo with 18 points.

Led by head coach Sue Semrau, Florida State is coming into this game ranked seventh in national polls. Tonight, the Gators will be the Seminoles first opponent of the season. Last season, center Adut Bulgak, standing tall at six foot four inches, collected a number of awards. She was the teams’ most valuable players, Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American, and All-ACC First Team.

The Gators lead the all-time series between the in-state rivals, 41-30 and 19 wins and 9 loss record when playing in Gainesville. However, the Seminoles have won the last three meetings by an average of 21.7 points. The last time the Gators beat the Seminoles was November 17th, 2011, in Gainesville. Head coach of the Gators, Amanda Butler said the loss to Temple was an indication on how much the team needs to improve while playing a non-conference team.

The Gators also believe that they have one of the toughest non-conference schedules in NCAA women’s basketball.