As Florida basketball gears up for SEC play, the Gators are riding a four-game winning streak. But don’t let the recent success fool you-this team still has plenty to iron out if it wants to make real noise in conference play.
Take Florida’s most recent outing against Dartmouth. The Gators walked away with a 94-72 win, but they allowed Dartmouth to outscore them in the second half. That’s not the kind of finish head coach Todd Golden wants to see, especially with the SEC gauntlet looming.
“I didn't think we played with enough pace and enough physicality,” Golden said after the win. “We’ve got to play a full 40 (minutes), and if that means winning this game by 50, that’s what it means.”
Golden’s message is clear: this team has the talent, but it hasn’t yet hit its ceiling. The early schedule was no cakewalk-Florida took some lumps in marquee games-but there’s been steady progress.
Ball security has improved. Fouling is down.
The Gators are keeping opponents off the free-throw line. Those are the kinds of foundational improvements that matter in March.
One area that’s taken a step back lately? Perimeter defense.
Florida was holding opponents to just 28.1% from three through most of the season, but in the last two games, that number has jumped after allowing a combined 24 made threes. That’s a trend they’ll need to reverse quickly, especially in a conference loaded with capable shooters.
The Front Court Is Living Up to the Hype
If there’s one thing Florida can count on night in and night out, it’s dominance from its front court. This group isn’t just good-they’re elite.
The Gators lead the nation in rebound margin, pulling in 47.5 boards per game. That’s not just a stat to throw on a graphic-it’s a game-changing advantage.
And the engine behind that dominance is Rueben Chinyelu. The big man is a force on both ends of the glass, ranking in the top 10 nationally in offensive rebounding percentage (18.1) and defensive rebounding percentage (29.2), per KenPom.
That kind of rebounding presence does more than just end possessions-it fuels transition, keeps opponents from getting second chances, and wears teams down. It’s also a big reason why Florida is ranked 11th in adjusted defensive efficiency (94.8 points allowed per 100 possessions). This defense isn’t just solid-it’s disruptive.
Depth Still a Work in Progress
While the starting unit and front court have been reliable, Florida’s bench remains a question mark.
Micah Handlogten and Urban Klavzar have been the most consistent contributors off the pine. Klavzar is giving the Gators close to 9 points a night, while Handlogten brings size, rebounding (6.6 per game), and some scoring punch (5.2 points).
Beyond that duo, it’s still a bit of a revolving door. Isaiah Brown, CJ Ingram, and Alex Kovatchev have all seen minutes over the last four games, but none have fully seized the opportunity. And with AJ Brown’s status for the season looking more doubtful by the day, Florida may have to ride a shorter rotation than originally planned.
Xaivian Lee Is Turning the Corner
Xaivian Lee’s season didn’t start the way anyone hoped. Through the first six games, he averaged just 7.1 points and shot a rough 7-for-42 from deep. But since then, he’s flipped the script.
Lee’s breakout game came against Providence, where he dropped 20 points and knocked down four threes. Since then, he’s averaged 16.5 points over the last seven games, going 14-for-41 from beyond the arc during that stretch. That’s not lights-out shooting, but it’s a massive improvement-and more importantly, he’s taking care of the ball and facilitating the offense with poise.
“Xaivian… struggled earlier, but he’s been playing really, really well,” Golden said. “He does a great job taking care of the ball.”
That kind of growth is exactly what Florida needs from its backcourt, especially as the Gators look to solidify their identity heading into the SEC grind.
Backcourt Chemistry Still Developing
One storyline to keep an eye on: the evolving dynamic between Lee and freshman guard Boogie Fland. The duo has shown flashes, but they haven’t quite synced up yet in a big-time game.
So far, they’ve both scored in double figures in just five games-against North Florida, Providence, George Washington, St. Francis, and Dartmouth.
Fland is showing signs of getting more comfortable, particularly when it comes to attacking the rim and initiating offense off the dribble.
“I thought Boog is getting more comfortable, getting to the rim, driving off those duck-ins, initiating the offense,” Golden said. “He’s playing better as well.”
The potential is there. If Lee and Fland can find a rhythm together, it would give Florida a much-needed offensive boost-and a more dangerous backcourt heading into the heart of the season.
The Bottom Line
Florida’s trending in the right direction. The Gators have found their footing after a tough early schedule, and their front court is as dominant as advertised. But there’s still work to do-especially when it comes to consistency, perimeter defense, and bench production.
The good news? There’s talent across the board, and the pieces are starting to fall into place. If Florida can put it all together, this team could be a serious factor in the SEC.