Greenville, South Carolina, will serve as one of the epicenters of women’s college basketball this week with the beginning of the SEC Tournament on Wednesday.
For No. 11 seed Florida, the tournament serves as an opportunity to turn its season around and increase its chances at being invited to the WNIT.
Here is what to know and how to watch the Gators this week, starting Wednesday:
Florida women’s basketball vs. Missouri: What to know
The Gators‘ season started out promising, with a 9-3 non-conference record. And, after a win at Mississippi State on Feb. 11, Florida sat at 13-9 and 4-6 in SEC play.
However, the Gators staggered down the stretch and have only won once since to finish the regular season at 14-14 and 5-11 in the conference.
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![Florida Gators guard Aliyah Matharu (2) stares down Missouri Tigers forward Hilke Feldrappe (5) prior to shooting during the first half at Billy Donovan Court at Exactech Arena in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, February 22, 2024. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/cgqYq4FbvUyNogQdH9FW5Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the-gainesville-sun/0c9797f9142d0fb3e892f463d2c1cd80)
Close losses doomed the Gators throughout conference play. With the exception of losses to powerhouses LSU and South Carolina, UF didn’t lose a conference game by more than 16.
For example, Florida lost by single digits to Alabama, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Vanderbilt, four teams that ESPN currently projects will make the NCAA Tournament.
The one game UF won in the last month came vs. Missouri, its opponent Wednesday.
The Gators thrashed the Tigers 86-70 last Thursday, Feb. 22.
They exploded out to a 36-13 first quarter lead and cruised from there thanks to 28 points from Aliyah Matharu, who ranks third in the conference with 18.2 points per game.
No. 14 seed Mizzou ranks last in the conference. They trudged through a 2-14 conference record and last won an SEC game Jan. 18 vs. Georgia.
Florida women’s basketball vs. Missouri start time
![Florida Gators head coach Kelly Rae Finley smiles with Florida Gators guard Jeriah Warren (20) against the Missouri Tigers after the game at Billy Donovan Court at Exactech Arena in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, February 22, 2024. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8_PnY2BW0nPsLTNQHldSqw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the-gainesville-sun/d6731946f585b64edfadb947b80a66b6)
Tip between the two is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET from the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, but it could be delayed if the opening game between Georgia and Kentucky runs late.
What channel is the Florida women’s basketball game vs. Missouri?
The game can be seen on the SEC Network and can be streamed at ESPN.com. Live stats are available at this link, and you can listen to the game on ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM/850 AM.
Florida women’s basketball vs. Missouri: History
The Gators trail the all-time series 11-4 to the Tigers, but Florida has won its last two games vs. Missouri.
Noah Ram covers Gainesville-area high school sports and University of Florida athletics for The Gainesville Sun. Contact him at Nram@gannett.com and follow him @Noah_ram1 on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida Gators women’s basketball SEC Tournament first round: How to watch
