GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida guards Kenny Boynton and Bradley Beal were named to the All-Southeastern Conference basketball first team Tuesday, while guard Erving Walker was a second-team selection and center Patric Young was named the league's Scholar Athlete of the Year.
Boynton leads UF in scoring (16.8 ppg) and 3-point shooting (43.4 percent). The 6-foot-1 junior has scored at least 20 points in a game 12 times this season. Beal, a 6-3 freshman, is second in scoring (14.4 ppg) and is tied for the team lead in rebounding (6.5 rpg). Joining those two on the first team are Kentucky's Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Mississippi State's Dee Bost and Arnett Moultrie, and Vanderbilt's John Jenkins and Jeffery Taylor.
Walker, who is UF's all-time assists leader (524) and is fourth on the school's all-time scoring list (1,715), averages 12.4 points and 4.7 assists per game. He is joined on the second team by Alabama's JaMychal Green and Trevor Releford, Arkansas' B.J. Young, Kentucky's Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb, LSU's Justin Hamilton, Ole Miss' Terrance Henry, and Tennessee's Jeronne Maymon.
Boynton leads UF in scoring (16.8 ppg) and 3-point shooting (43.4 percent). The 6-foot-1 junior has scored at least 20 points in a game 12 times this season. Beal, a 6-3 freshman, is second in scoring (14.4 ppg) and is tied for the team lead in rebounding (6.5 rpg). Joining those two on the first team are Kentucky's Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Mississippi State's Dee Bost and Arnett Moultrie, and Vanderbilt's John Jenkins and Jeffery Taylor.
Walker, who is UF's all-time assists leader (524) and is fourth on the school's all-time scoring list (1,715), averages 12.4 points and 4.7 assists per game. He is joined on the second team by Alabama's JaMychal Green and Trevor Releford, Arkansas' B.J. Young, Kentucky's Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb, LSU's Justin Hamilton, Ole Miss' Terrance Henry, and Tennessee's Jeronne Maymon.
Arizona DB Priest Willis adds Florida offer 
March, 6, 2012
3/06/12
2:38
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- ESPNU 150 Watch List defensive back Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos De Niza) has seen his stock increase in the last few weeks.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound athlete has added offers from Texas A&M, West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, LSU, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State recently. Willis also holds offers from UCLA, Cal, Florida State and USC.
Willis said he is excited about the Florida offer.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound athlete has added offers from Texas A&M, West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, LSU, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State recently. Willis also holds offers from UCLA, Cal, Florida State and USC.
Willis said he is excited about the Florida offer.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- After signing eight players for the 2012 class who are either defensive tackles, defensive ends or play the hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker buck position, the Gators will be very selective in who they go after for the 2013 class.
Here is a closer look at some of the top defensive linemen Florida is targeting for 2013:
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Here is a closer look at some of the top defensive linemen Florida is targeting for 2013:
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
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Florida's 2012 signing class was ranked No. 4 nationally by ESPN.
The Gators look like they might be on their way to topping that in 2013. They already have 10 commitments for the 2013 class, and that includes an SEC-high nine ESPNU 150 Watch List members.
All 10 of Florida's commitments in the upcoming class are from the state of Florida.
Alabama and Texas A&M aren't too far behind the blistering pace set by the Gators.
The Crimson Tide have nine commitments, including seven ESPNU 150 Watch List members.
The Aggies also have seven ESPNU 150 Watch List members on their 2013 commitment list. They have a total of 12 commitments.
Georgia is next in line with four ESPNU 150 Watch List commitments.
The Gators look like they might be on their way to topping that in 2013. They already have 10 commitments for the 2013 class, and that includes an SEC-high nine ESPNU 150 Watch List members.
All 10 of Florida's commitments in the upcoming class are from the state of Florida.
Alabama and Texas A&M aren't too far behind the blistering pace set by the Gators.
The Crimson Tide have nine commitments, including seven ESPNU 150 Watch List members.
The Aggies also have seven ESPNU 150 Watch List members on their 2013 commitment list. They have a total of 12 commitments.
Georgia is next in line with four ESPNU 150 Watch List commitments.
BATON ROUGE, La. -- After a weekend visit to LSU, it seems it's decision time for 2012 junior college prospect Fehoko Fanaika.
Fanaika's trip to Baton Rouge wraps up what has been a busy spring for the offensive line prospect from the College of San Mateo in Californa. Fanaika also visited Florida, Kansas, Utah State and Hawaii earlier this spring. Tim Tulloch, the recruiting coordinator at San Mateo, came to LSU with Fanaika and said the next step in the process is choosing a destination.
"That was his fifth trip, so he's done with trips," Tulloch said. "Now it's just getting to the point where he can sit down with his family and figure out where is the right place for him."
Fanaika's trip to Baton Rouge wraps up what has been a busy spring for the offensive line prospect from the College of San Mateo in Californa. Fanaika also visited Florida, Kansas, Utah State and Hawaii earlier this spring. Tim Tulloch, the recruiting coordinator at San Mateo, came to LSU with Fanaika and said the next step in the process is choosing a destination.
"That was his fifth trip, so he's done with trips," Tulloch said. "Now it's just getting to the point where he can sit down with his family and figure out where is the right place for him."
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Cornerback Brendan Langley (Marietta, Ga./Kell) was in Athens, Ga., recently for the VID (Very Important Dawg) Day. He spoke about his visit and his top three schools, which includes the Florida Gators.
Lincoln (Tallahassee, Fla.) receiver Reggie Davis put on a strong showing at the Orlando NFSC, running a 4.55 in the 40-yard dash. He lists his top four schools as Florida, Florida State, South Florida and Georgia.
Top defensive back Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos De Niza) has received three new scholarship offers, including a big one from the SEC, ESPN's Craig Haubert reports.
Florida, Colorado and Washington State are the latest programs to offer Willis, an ESPNU 150 Watch List prospect, who is one of the most coveted prospects out West in the Class of 2013.
Florida, Colorado and Washington State are the latest programs to offer Willis, an ESPNU 150 Watch List prospect, who is one of the most coveted prospects out West in the Class of 2013.
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Lincoln (Tallahassee, Fla.) receiver Taj Williams was at the Orlando NFSC, then gave an update on his recruitment. The one offer he wanted the most was Florida, he said with a smile, "and I got it."
Atlantic (Delray Beach, Fla.) defensive tackle Keith Bryant visited Georgia for its junior day this weekend and left the Athens campus with an offer.
"I was offered by Coach [Mark] Richt in his office on Saturday," Bryant said. "I spent a lot of time with Coach Richt as well as Coach [Rodney] Garner and Coach [Kirk] Olivadotti.
"I really enjoyed the whole visit. I liked the campus and the facilities there. Everything was real nice. The coaches were very interested in me and they love my game so that felt good."
"I was offered by Coach [Mark] Richt in his office on Saturday," Bryant said. "I spent a lot of time with Coach Richt as well as Coach [Rodney] Garner and Coach [Kirk] Olivadotti.
"I really enjoyed the whole visit. I liked the campus and the facilities there. Everything was real nice. The coaches were very interested in me and they love my game so that felt good."
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- After landing only two prospects offensive linemen in their 2012 recruiting class, the Gators have made it top priority for the 2013 cycle.
Though Florida has yet to land an offensive line commit, the Gators have targeted some of the top prospects, not only in Florida but in the entire country.
Florida already has 10 verbal commits, but look for the Gators to add between 5-6 offensive linemen in the class before all is said and done.
Though Florida has yet to land an offensive line commit, the Gators have targeted some of the top prospects, not only in Florida but in the entire country.
Florida already has 10 verbal commits, but look for the Gators to add between 5-6 offensive linemen in the class before all is said and done.
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After rushing for 1,300 yards and 17 touchdowns last fall, running back Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) was invited to participate in the weeklong Rising Seniors program in December in Atlanta. After impressing in practice all week at receiver, Kamara shined during the Georgia Junior Bowl, making a game-high eight catches for 117 yards.
His versatility and explosiveness have made the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Kamara one of the most coveted running backs in the Southeast, with double-digit offers from programs including Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia and USC. The Georgia Bulldogs got Kamara on campus last weekend, and although they invited him to return Saturday for VID Day, he had made plans weeks ago to be elsewhere this weekend.
Then things changed.
His versatility and explosiveness have made the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Kamara one of the most coveted running backs in the Southeast, with double-digit offers from programs including Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia and USC. The Georgia Bulldogs got Kamara on campus last weekend, and although they invited him to return Saturday for VID Day, he had made plans weeks ago to be elsewhere this weekend.
Then things changed.
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Big game signals improvement from Young
March, 4, 2012
3/04/12
5:52
PM ET
By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Looks like Patric Young’s right ankle is doing just fine.
Florida’s sophomore center showed no sign of the nagging injury that has plagued him since the middle of January against Kentucky on Sunday. That’s one bit of good news for the Gators, as they head into this week’s Southeastern Conference Tournament on a three-game losing streak.
Young scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds in UF’s 74-59 loss to top-ranked Kentucky in front of 12,113 at the O’Connell Center. It was the most points he’s ever scored in an SEC game and just four points shy of his career-high 25 against Arizona on Dec. 7. Young went 10-for-15 from the field and took the ball right at UK’s formidable frontcourt of Anthony Davis and Terrence Jones.
"Patric Young was a beast," Kentucky coach John Calipari said. "Patric Young plays like that they’re fine in postseason. They’re fine.
"Patric, whatever you had for breakfast this morning, eat it [again], because he dominated us. He was really, really good."
Florida’s sophomore center showed no sign of the nagging injury that has plagued him since the middle of January against Kentucky on Sunday. That’s one bit of good news for the Gators, as they head into this week’s Southeastern Conference Tournament on a three-game losing streak.
Young scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds in UF’s 74-59 loss to top-ranked Kentucky in front of 12,113 at the O’Connell Center. It was the most points he’s ever scored in an SEC game and just four points shy of his career-high 25 against Arizona on Dec. 7. Young went 10-for-15 from the field and took the ball right at UK’s formidable frontcourt of Anthony Davis and Terrence Jones.
"Patric Young was a beast," Kentucky coach John Calipari said. "Patric Young plays like that they’re fine in postseason. They’re fine.
"Patric, whatever you had for breakfast this morning, eat it [again], because he dominated us. He was really, really good."
Pride, not perfection, motivated Wildcats
March, 4, 2012
3/04/12
5:18
PM ET
By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Top-ranked Kentucky’s 74-59 victory over Florida wasn’t about going 16-0 in the Southeastern Conference.
It wasn’t about setting a school record for the most regular-season victories.
Or solidifying its claim to the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.
All those things are important, but UK coach John Calipari made Sunday’s game about something else: pride.
"I told them prior to the game, 'Look, bottom line is if we lose we’re still No. 1 seed [in the Southeastern Conference tournament]. It doesn’t change our seeding. It doesn’t do anything, but it’s about pride. And I know you guys want to win. Just play to win and if they beat us, they beat us,’ ” Calipari said. "That was the message prior to the game: Just go have pride and play."
Considering how the Wildcats (30-1, 16-0) dominated the 13th-ranked Gators (22-9, 10-6), it’s hard to imagine how well they would have played had there really been something on the line. Kentucky outscored Florida 40-28 in the paint, blocked nine shots, held the Gators to 38.2 percent shooting, and turned the ball over just six times.
Anthony Davis nearly had a triple-double -- 22 points, 12 rebounds, and six blocks -- and Terrence Jones had 19 points, four rebounds and three blocks to help Kentucky win its 22nd game in a row and become the third UK team to post a 16-0 conference record (1996 and 2003)
"That’s as good as we played all year," Calipari said.
[+] Enlarge
Kim Klement/US PresswireKentucky forward Anthony Davis reacts after he made a 3-pointer in the second half of a 74-59 win against Florida.
Kim Klement/US PresswireKentucky forward Anthony Davis reacts after he made a 3-pointer in the second half of a 74-59 win against Florida. Or solidifying its claim to the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.
All those things are important, but UK coach John Calipari made Sunday’s game about something else: pride.
"I told them prior to the game, 'Look, bottom line is if we lose we’re still No. 1 seed [in the Southeastern Conference tournament]. It doesn’t change our seeding. It doesn’t do anything, but it’s about pride. And I know you guys want to win. Just play to win and if they beat us, they beat us,’ ” Calipari said. "That was the message prior to the game: Just go have pride and play."
Considering how the Wildcats (30-1, 16-0) dominated the 13th-ranked Gators (22-9, 10-6), it’s hard to imagine how well they would have played had there really been something on the line. Kentucky outscored Florida 40-28 in the paint, blocked nine shots, held the Gators to 38.2 percent shooting, and turned the ball over just six times.
Anthony Davis nearly had a triple-double -- 22 points, 12 rebounds, and six blocks -- and Terrence Jones had 19 points, four rebounds and three blocks to help Kentucky win its 22nd game in a row and become the third UK team to post a 16-0 conference record (1996 and 2003)
"That’s as good as we played all year," Calipari said.
ABOUT GATOR NATION
Michael DiRocco
Michael DiRocco came to ESPN.com in 2011 after spending 10 and a half years covering UF for the Florida Times-Union. He lives in Middleburg, Fla., with his wife and two sons. Email him at espndirocco@gmail.com.
Derek Tyson
Derek Tyson joined ESPN.com in 2011. He worked as a football and recruiting analyst for GatorCountry.com before joining ESPN. He currently resides in Gainesville, Fla. Email him at derektysonespn@gmail.com.