The top-ranked Florida Gators believe they have the ingredients to win another national championship.
With one of the most versatile frontcourts in the nation, the Gators demonstrated their ability to score from the perimeter during a season-opening win against Miami.
Another indication of whether Florida can sustain that winning formula comes Thursday night when the Gators (1-0) play their home opener in Gainesville against Jacksonville (1-0).
Long-distance shooting was a glaring weakness for Florida last season, one reason it failed to repeat as national champions. The Gators lost to Iowa in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Gators shot 48.4% overall, but just 31.2% from 3-point range, which ranked second-worst among power conference schools last season.
On Monday night in Tampa, Florida achieved the balance it was looking for — at least for a half — shooting 11-for-26 from deep against No. 14 Miami in a 77-67 victory.
“I’m really excited about the 3-point shooting, let’s talk about that. We were 42 percent from three,” Gators head coach Todd Golden said. “Nobody thinks we can shoot. But I think we can shoot, I think we got a chance.”
Thomas Haugh posted his ninth career double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds and led the way from beyond the arc, shooting 4-for-8 from 3. Haugh also had four assists and two steals in 38 minutes.
Florida’s defense looked suffocating at times as it held Miami to 29% shooting in the second half and only three made field goals over the game’s final 12 minutes.
Probably the only flaw for the Gators was their free throw shooting as Florida missed 15 of 35 attempts from the foul line.
“We’re gonna get in the gym, we’ll be good,” Haugh said.
Florida is one of three road games in November for Jacksonville against power conference teams as it also faces Georgia (Nov. 16) and Indiana (Nov. 24).
The Gators hold a 33-5 all-time series lead against Jacksonville and have won five in a row against the Dolphins since the 2010-11 season.
Jacksonville also unveiled something new during its season-opening, 105-61 win at home Monday night against Trinity College of Jacksonville. The Dolphins had four newcomers in their starting lineup highlighted by preseason All-Atlantic Sun selection Jamie Phillips Jr., who finished with 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting.
“This feels good and it shows what we can do and our potential for this season,” Phillips Jr. said. “It just gives me confidence going into these Power Five games.”
As a team, Jacksonville posted 30 assists.
James Morrow also impressed on the defensive end with five blocks, which was the most for a Dolphins player since January 2025. Caleb Williams also matched a career high with six assists.
Jacksonville head coach Jordan Mincy was impressed with several of his freshmen, including center Sam Mbingazo, who had a game-high eight rebounds. Mbingazo faces a huge challenge against Florida’s frontcourt led by Alex Condon and Reuben Chinyelu.
“When you talk about a freshman understanding how much effort and energy he brings,” Mincy said. “He’s so unselfish. He really understands his role. … In this climate, it’s rare to see someone who doesn’t care about scoring and more about doing the little things.”
–Field Level Media
