Gator Sports Events of 2012

Wednesday, 01 February 2012 08:52

The Swamp has fallen quiet—rabid, roaring fans are replaced by a chill breeze and memories of the season that was. With the new year, we look ahead to seasons just getting started and to rivalries that renew with the turning of the calendar. For the Gator faithful (and newbies), here’s a short list of four sports events to circle on your brand-spanking new calendars.

By Joshua Bauer
Photos: Rodney Rogers

BASKETBALL
3.4.12 - Florida V. Kentucky
Steven C. O’Connell Center

Though UK—at press they were undefeated and No. 1 in the NCAA—has historically beaten all SEC rivals, UF (12th when we went to press) has bested them 9-6 since 2005. These teams meet first in Lexington on Valentine’s Day, but this second game, the last of the season, should have the O’Dome rocking like a tournament game. Watching Coach Donovan and the Gators take on the Wildcats has fast become one of the best college rivalries of the last decade. You’d be cheating yourself to miss this game.

BASEBALL
3.22.12 - Florida V. S. Carolina
Columbia, SC

Letting a division rival sweep you to win the 2011 College World Series is something that sticks with you in the off-season. So it should come as no surprise that we’re circling this finals rematch. Just a short roadtrip north, this series has become the battle in not only the SEC, but in all of NCAA baseball. Though the Gators had to say farewell to Tommy Toledo, we expect returning stars like Austin Maddox and Steven Rodriguez to shine in this payback game. UF Coach Kevin O’Sullivan has turned this program around, with 142-58 the last three years, as well as back-to-back SEC Championships, and this is the best series of the 2012 season, hands down.

SOFTBALL
4.27.12 - Florida V. Kentucky
Pressly Stadium

Swept from the NCAA Women’s College World Series in the finals, UF softball may not have a chance to redeem their standing against Arizona State in the upcoming season, but they can make up for two regular season sweeps. Divisional foes Georgia and Kentucky were both 3-0 against UF in 2011, but since the Georgia game is in Athens this year, this late season series with Kentucky is the one to watch. Coming the weekend before spring graduation, this is the perfect place to show some Orange and Blue love one last time, as well as a chance for UF to show last season’s sweep was just a fluke.

SOCCER
Florida V. Auburn
TBD

Though the schedule hasn’t been released, women’s soccer is already salivating for another shot at Auburn. Relieving UF of the SEC crown after two years, Auburn played the Gators tough in the regular season, requiring overtime before going down 3-2. Because they last met in Gainesville, this might require another road trip. Gator soccer has a nineyear NCAA tournament streak and Coach Becky Burleigh should have her women primed to take revenge for robbing them of a third straight SEC title.

That’s just the first half of 2012. As many have predicted this year to be our last, let’s hope the apocalypse can hold off at least until the Orange and Blue game in the spring to give us a little sports to savor first. Go Gators.

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