Top-ranked Florida opened the 2026-27 college basketball season with a 77-67 victory over No. 14 Miami on Monday at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa. Senior forward Thomas Haugh led the Gators with 19 points and 10 rebounds, matching his career high with four 3-pointers on eight attempts.
Haugh Leads Balanced Attack
Haugh, a national player of the year candidate who returned for his senior season, shot 4-of-8 from beyond the arc, replicating his performance from the 2025 Elite Eight against Texas Tech. "We were out there playing and it just felt like everything was moving how we knew it was going to move," Haugh said. Coach Todd Golden praised his team's competitiveness and intelligence.
Experienced Core Returns
Florida's roster includes returnees Rueben Chinyelu, Alex Condon, Boogie Fland, Urban Klavžar, and Denzel Aberdeen, who rejoined the program after a stint at Kentucky. Chinyelu expressed preseason confidence that the Gators would win a second national title in three seasons.
Miami's Lewis Shines in Defeat
Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis paced Miami with a game-high 24 points, showing poise running the offense under first-year coach Jai Lucas. The Hurricanes face Alabama and Texas before opening ACC play against NC State near New Year's Eve.
Frontline Dominance
The Gators' frontcourt trio of Haugh, Chinyelu, and Condon controlled the interior, generating second-chance opportunities and disrupting Miami's offense. Florida's depth allows them to go small with Klavžar off the bench, making them a formidable contender.
