The Florida Gators closed out their pre-holiday schedule in dominant fashion, rolling past Colgate 90-60 at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. It was the kind of game that showcased Florida’s size, depth, and physicality - all the things that tend to overwhelm lesser opponents in these Quadrant 3 and 4 matchups.
Frontcourt Domination: Chinyelu and Condon Set the Tone
Florida’s frontcourt was simply too much for Colgate to handle. Rubenem Chinyelu and Alex Condon each posted double-doubles - Chinyelu with 16 points and 12 boards, Condon with 16 and 10 - and both looked completely in control in the paint. That’s Chinyelu’s sixth double-double of the season and Condon’s fifth, and they continue to be the engine that powers Florida’s interior game.
Thomas Haugh added 17 points of his own, giving the Gators three forwards scoring 15 or more. The Gators nearly doubled up Colgate on the glass, winning the rebounding battle 49-22.
That kind of disparity isn’t just impressive - it’s demoralizing for the opposition. When Florida’s bigs are active and engaged like this, the game can get out of hand quickly.
Xaivian Lee Finds His Rhythm Despite Cold Perimeter Shooting
Xaivian Lee led all scorers with 19 points, doing most of his damage inside the arc and at the free-throw line. He went just 1-for-6 from deep, but made up for it with a perfect 4-for-4 mark from the stripe and some confident drives to the hoop. Lee’s ability to impact the game even when the three-ball isn’t falling is a good sign for Florida, especially with SEC play looming.
Boogie Fland had a quieter night with seven points, while Urban Klavzar chipped in eight off the bench. Fland struggled from deep, going 1-for-5, but showed flashes when attacking the rim - a part of his game Florida may need to lean on more as the season progresses.
First-Half Offense: Inconsistent but Effective Enough
Florida’s first-half offense had its ups and downs. The Gators started slowly, hitting just two of their first six shots, but then went on a 4-for-6 run to grab a double-digit lead. That push-and-pull rhythm persisted for most of the half, preventing the Gators from completely pulling away early.
They finished the first 20 minutes shooting 17-for-32 from the field - a solid clip, but a step down from the 81% two-point shooting performance they had earlier in the week against Saint Francis. Colgate is a better team than Saint Francis, sure, but Florida left some points on the board, especially at the line. A 6-for-12 mark from the free-throw stripe in the first half isn’t going to cut it against high-level competition.
The three-point shooting woes continued as well. Florida went just 3-for-13 from deep in the first half, with Fland and Lee combining to shoot 1-for-5. That’s been a season-long issue, and 12 games in, it’s clear the Gators are going to have to win in other ways - namely, by dominating inside and cleaning up on the glass.
Second-Half Surge: Starters Lock In
The second half was a different story. Florida’s starters came out focused and efficient, scoring 42 of the team’s 47 second-half points.
Outside of Fland, the starting five was nearly automatic. Condon and Haugh combined to hit 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, and Lee poured in 13 points in just 14 minutes of second-half action.
Chinyelu continued to bully defenders down low, especially on second-chance opportunities. His physicality is a mismatch against most teams, and when he’s locked in, Florida can run its offense through him with confidence.
Micah Handlogten also made his presence felt. The 7-foot-1 big man pulled down seven rebounds in the second half and continues to be one of the more underrated vertical defenders in college basketball. His offensive game is limited, but his ability to contest shots without fouling - and to clean up the glass - makes him a valuable piece in Florida’s rotation.
By the time the reserves checked in, the starters had shot 14-for-21 (66.7%) from the field in the second half. That’s the kind of efficiency head coach Todd Golden wants to see in these tune-up games.
Turnovers: A Step in the Right Direction
Turnovers have been a thorn in Florida’s side all season, but Sunday was a step forward. The Gators committed just four turnovers through the first 36-plus minutes, with only one coming from a starter in the second half. That’s a marked improvement, and while the reserves coughed it up five times in the final minutes, the starters’ ball security was a bright spot.
It’s an encouraging sign for a team that’s been just a few clean possessions away from knocking off top-tier opponents like Duke and UConn. Those games slipped away in part due to sloppy play, but if Florida can string together more performances like this - smart, efficient, and under control - they’ll be a problem in SEC play.
Looking Ahead
With three straight wins by an average margin of 27 points, Florida heads into the Christmas break with momentum. The Gators are handling the games they’re supposed to win, and doing it convincingly. Next up is Dartmouth on December 29 - another opportunity to fine-tune things before the calendar flips and the real grind begins.
If Florida keeps defending, rebounding, and taking care of the ball like they did against Colgate, they’ll be in a strong position heading into conference play. The offensive consistency still needs work, particularly from the perimeter and the free-throw line, but the foundation is there - and it’s a solid one.