Over the last five days, Florida basketball has shown us both sides of the coin. But on Wednesday night in Columbia, the Gators flipped it decisively in their favor.
No. 19 Florida dismantled South Carolina 95-48 in a performance that wasn’t just dominant - it was historic. The Gators shot a blistering 62% from the field, their best shooting night of the season, and did it with a level of offensive efficiency and unselfishness that turned a conference road game into a statement win.
“We spent a lot of time talking about making sure we were mentally and physically ready to compete tonight,” head coach Todd Golden said after the game. “Our guys were clearly ready to play.”
That much was obvious from the opening tip.
A Balanced Barrage
Florida didn’t just rely on one hot hand - they brought the whole arsenal. Thirteen Gators saw the floor, and 11 found the scoring column. Five players finished in double figures, but it was junior forward Thomas Haugh who led the way.
The Pennsylvania native was locked in from the jump, scoring 15 of his 18 points in the first half. He shot 54% in the opening 20 minutes and finished the night 3-of-5 from deep, part of a team-wide shooting clinic from beyond the arc.
Florida hit 43% of its three-point attempts - another season high - with Haugh joined by Urban Klavzar, Isaiah Brown, and freshmen Alex Lloyd and CJ Ingram II in stretching the floor. Ironically, the Gators’ starting backcourt of Xaivian Lee and Boogie Fland didn’t connect from distance, going a combined 0-for-5. But when the rest of the roster is lighting it up, that’s a footnote, not a flaw.
Haugh continues to be a steady force for Florida this season, averaging 17.4 points per game - good for top eight in the SEC. Against South Carolina, his impact went well beyond the box score. His +37 plus-minus was second only to Fland’s +38, reflecting just how dominant the Gators were with him on the court.
Fland Finds His Rhythm
Speaking of Fland, the Arkansas transfer didn’t just stuff the stat sheet - he did it efficiently. He scored 10 points, dished out six assists, and hit 80% of his shots in what was easily his most polished offensive performance of the season. Fland’s ability to control tempo and make the right reads helped Florida keep the ball moving and the scoreboard ticking.
Sharing is Winning
If there was a theme to this win, it was unselfishness. Florida racked up 28 assists on 39 made field goals - a staggering number that speaks to the team’s chemistry and commitment to playing the right way. It’s the highest assist total in an SEC game for the Gators in the last 30 years and their most in any game since 2007.
Junior forward Alex Condon led the charge with eight assists of his own, nearly notching the first triple-double of his college career. He finished with 10 points, nine rebounds, and those eight dimes - a bounce-back effort after a quiet showing against Auburn, where he managed just one point.
“It definitely was a priority for me to come out and have a good game today,” Condon said. “Come out with a different level of energy and lead the boys a little bit.”
Mission accomplished.
Looking Ahead
This wasn’t just a win - it was a reminder of what Florida can be when everything clicks. The Gators didn’t just shoot the lights out; they defended, rebounded, and played with purpose from start to finish. It was the kind of performance that turns heads in the SEC and sends a message as the conference race heats up.
With a deep rotation, balanced scoring, and a growing sense of identity, Florida is starting to look like a team that’s not just aiming to make the tournament - but to make some noise when they get there.