10%

Season In Review: College Basketball

My favorite images from a socially distant season

By Matt Pendleton Photography

April 12^th, 2021

Socially Distant

The 2020-2021 season introduced new terms like "bubble" or "rapid testing." The on-going COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected access to cover sports. No team's schedule was safe to the virus. Some games were postponed while others were straight up cancelled; some even hours before the tip.

Masks and Tests

The world was starting to understand how to run events and limit spread (see the NBA Playoff/Finals). This totally affected the start of the college basketball season. The women's season did not start at home until November 25th and the men's started a week and half later on December 6th.

I was fortunate to cover the Florida Gators and their opponents. Here's my recap of a fun season of basketball. In the end both teams had a postseason (conference and NCAA/WNIT tournaments). I'm looking forward to a more normal season for the 2021-2022 campaign.

Feel free to tap the LIKE button in the top right to show my story some love.

Here Come The Gators

The Florida Gators Women's Basketball team kicked off their season November 25th at home versus the Grambling State Lady Tigers. The Gators won 90-47 with limited attendance of 620 fans socially distanced.

Cardboard cutouts of fans helped keep the aesthetic of fans in the seats for photos and TV audiences. Another first included socially distanced team benches with seats covering the entire corner of the court.

I was also only able to shoot on the concourse level of Exactech Arena. I had to get creative.

Welcome Home

The Florida Gators Men's Basketball team attempted to start the season away at the Basketball Hall of Fame Bubbleville Classic but the first three games were cancelled due to COVID-19 positive tests.

The Gators played their first home game on December 6 versus the Stetson Hatters. The Gators won 86-40 in front of a very limited 2193 fans.

Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, only four media organizations were allowed to cover the Men's home games. Fortunately, one of those four was the Gainesville Sun, the local newspaper. This also meant I was only able to cover two games this season.

Always grateful for Brad McClenny, the sole photographer at the Gainesville Sun. It's always a pleasure to freelance for him and The Sun.

Gators vs. Tigers - 01/28/2021

Due to a crazy schedule on my part, I was not able to cover a Women's game until the January 28th game versus the Missouri Tigers.

The Gators lost a thriller 58-61.

Gators vs. Wildcats - 02/15/2021

The Gators welcomed home the #17 Kentucky Wildcats and SEC Player of the Year, Rhyne Howard. They played close all game but the Gators ultimately lost 80-88.

The Gators also found out that same day they lost superstar player, Lav Briggs, to a season-ending foot injury.

Gators vs. Bulldogs - 02/20/2021

I finished out the regular season covering both the men's and women's teams playing the Georgia Bulldogs. The men were up first winning 70-63.

Gators vs. Bulldogs - 02/20/2021

This game I was able to shoot on the court! More about why in the SEC Tournament section. For this game, I decided to shoot the majority of the game with my Canon 85mm f1.4L lens. I wish I could shoot all sports with the 85mm.

#SECWBB Tournament

I have the unique honor to travel with the Florida Gators Women's Basketball team for the postseason. For year 15 covering for the Gators, I had to COVID-19 test daily in order to be part of the "team bubble."

#SECWBB Travel Day

Travel had less fanfare, more masks and distancing, and the same beautiful light.

This was my first plane ride in over a year. My last was the 2020 SEC WBB Tournament.

#SECWBB Open Practice

While there were no fans, we still had the same fun during open practice.

There was even time left in the day to visit the waterfalls right outside the hotel.

#SECWBB Game 1 - Auburn

The Gators earned the 12th seed in the SEC Tournament and played the first game versus Auburn.

The Gators defeated the Tigers 69-62 to advance to play Kentucky in the second round.

#SECWBB Game 2 - Kentucky

The Gators battled Kentucky in round two of the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament.

Ultimately, the Gators fell to the Wildcats 64-73 ending their run. This year, though, they continued on to the WNIT against Charlotte and Villanova. The loss to Villanova ended the 2020-2021 season for the Gators.

Thank You!

I have give a shout out to one of the hardest working sports communications/SIDs in the game, Sam Stolte. I appreciate his trust in me to cover the Gators. Thank you Sam!