Florida Gators Flex Depth, Defense in Commanding Win Over Colgate
The Florida Gators took care of business at home, delivering a well-rounded performance in Gainesville that showcased their depth, size, and defensive intensity. From the opening tip to the final buzzer, Florida controlled the tempo and made life difficult for a Colgate squad that simply couldn’t keep up with the Gators’ size in the paint and athleticism on the perimeter.
Let’s break it down.
Bigs Dominate the Interior
Florida’s frontcourt set the tone early and never let up. Thomas Haugh (No. 10) was active on both ends, finding his spots offensively and elevating over smaller defenders like Colgate’s Josh Ahayere (No. 4) to finish clean looks at the rim. Haugh’s ability to stretch the floor and still bully his way inside gives the Gators a versatile weapon in the forward spot.
Micah Handlogten (No. 3) was a force in the paint as well, using his length and timing to alter shots and finish over defenders. His matchup against Colgate’s Andrew Alekseyenko (No. 22) was a physical one, but Handlogten consistently got the better of it, both on post-ups and help defense.
And then there’s Alex Condon (No. 21), who brought the energy and rim protection. His block on Colgate’s Ben Tweedy (No. 6) in the first half was a statement-Condon isn’t just a body in the paint, he’s a shot eraser. That kind of presence gives Florida an edge in any half-court battle.
Perimeter Pressure and Transition Buckets
Florida’s guards brought the heat, too. Xaivian Lee (No. 1) was a spark plug in the second half, picking pockets and turning defense into offense.
One sequence stood out: Lee stripped Colgate’s Kyle Carlesimo (No. 13) and took it coast-to-coast for a thunderous dunk that brought the Exactech Arena crowd to its feet. Plays like that don’t just shift momentum-they crush it.
Boogie Fland (No. 0) showed poise running the offense, navigating Colgate’s defense with sharp handles and smart decision-making. He didn’t force the issue but knew when to push the pace or pull it back. That kind of control from a young guard is a great sign for Florida heading into the heart of the season.
Alex Kovatchev (No. 8) also made the most of his minutes, scoring over defenders like Brady Cummins (No. 1) and attacking the lane with confidence. His ability to get downhill adds another layer to Florida’s offense, especially when the Gators are looking to push the tempo.
Colgate Struggles to Find Answers
To Colgate’s credit, they didn’t back down. Jalen Cox (No. 3) worked hard to create offense, even as he faced tough assignments like Condon and Klavzar (No.
7). Alekseyenko tried to assert himself in the post, but Florida’s length made clean looks hard to come by.
The Raiders moved the ball and looked for mismatches, but the Gators’ defensive rotations were sharp, and second-chance opportunities were limited.
Ayomi Odetoyinbo (No. 15) tried to facilitate from the high post, but with Handlogten shadowing him, passing lanes closed quickly. Florida’s size didn’t just affect shots-it disrupted Colgate’s entire offensive rhythm.
Todd Golden’s Blueprint Taking Shape
Head coach Todd Golden looked locked in on the sideline, and his team played with the kind of discipline and energy that reflects his growing influence on the program. Florida’s defensive rotations were crisp, their ball movement was unselfish, and their effort on the glass was relentless.
What’s especially encouraging for the Gators is how many different players contributed. This wasn’t a one-man show-it was a team effort, with production coming from starters and bench alike. When a program can go that deep and still maintain its identity on both ends of the floor, it’s a sign that things are trending in the right direction.
The Takeaway
This was the kind of performance Florida fans were hoping to see-a wire-to-wire win where the Gators imposed their will, played to their strengths, and gave a glimpse of their potential heading into conference play. With a balanced attack, a dominant frontcourt, and guards who can defend and run, Florida is starting to look like a team that could make some real noise this season.
Colgate, meanwhile, will take lessons from this one. They ran into a buzzsaw in Gainesville, but their effort and willingness to compete against a high-major opponent will serve them well in Patriot League play.
For now, the Gators walk away with a confidence-building win-and a highlight reel full of moments that show just how dangerous they can be when everything clicks.