The Florida Gators are riding high on a seven-game winning streak, and their impressive form has catapulted them up the Associated Press Top 25 rankings, jumping from No. 12 to No. 7. This surge comes on the heels of commanding victories over South Carolina and Ole Miss.
In their matchup against the Gamecocks, the Gators showcased their dominance with a 76-62 win. Key performances came from Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu, both delivering double-doubles. Condon's 20 points and 10 rebounds, paired with Chinyelu's 15 points and 17 rebounds, were pivotal as Florida out-rebounded South Carolina by 17 and outscored them in the paint by 16.
This marked the eighth time this season that multiple Gators have recorded double-doubles in a single game. Condon also hit a personal milestone, becoming the 58th player in Florida history to join the 1,000-point club.
The Gators fell behind early but quickly turned the tide with a 10-0 run, maintaining control for the rest of the game. With a 22-point lead late in the game, Coach Todd Golden had the luxury to rotate his bench.
Coach Golden reflected on the performance, emphasizing the team's strong rebounding and defensive strategies. Despite some areas needing improvement, like ball control, he praised the team's ability to limit South Carolina's three-point opportunities and maintain a steady lead.
Condon continued his stellar play against Ole Miss, racking up 24 points. Thomas Haugh added a 20-point performance, while Xaivian Lee contributed with a double-double of 11 points and 10 assists. Lee's feat was the first points/assists double-double for a Gator since 2022.
Off the bench, Urban Klavžar was on fire from beyond the arc, hitting four of his five attempts, extending his streak of games with a made three-pointer to 17. Boogie Fland added 11 points, with three crucial second-half triples.
Rueben Chinyelu tied a program record with his 114th offensive rebound of the season, and Haugh is on the cusp of his own milestone, sitting at 999 career points. His consistency from the three-point line continues, with a made three-pointer in 22 consecutive games.
Coach Golden praised the team's road resilience, highlighting their defensive prowess, as they held Ole Miss to 41% shooting from the field and maintained a strong presence on the boards.
Looking ahead, the Gators continue their road trip against Texas, a team that has won five of its last six games. Florida will return home for a much-anticipated sold-out clash against No.
20 Arkansas at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.