Florida Handles Business on the Court-and Has Words for Texas A&M After the Final Whistle
Saturday's SEC clash between Florida and Texas A&M was billed as a battle between two top-tier teams jockeying for position atop the conference standings. But once the ball tipped, only one team looked ready for the moment. Florida didn’t just win-they dominated, building a 21-point cushion by the final buzzer and sending a clear message to the rest of the league: the Gators are not here to play nice.
Postgame Tensions Boil Over
After the 86-67 win, emotions spilled over during the postgame handshake line. What started as a routine exchange quickly turned heated, with players and coaches from both sides having to be separated.
A courtside video captured the moment Florida assistant coach Carlin Hartman exchanged words with Texas A&M players. Hartman, held back by Florida big men Micah Handlogten and Rueben Chinyelu, was heard telling the Aggies to “be a better sport.” That’s not exactly the kind of thing you expect to hear in a handshake line-but it tells you everything about how chippy things got.
Then came Florida guard Urban Klavzar, who didn’t mince words. In the same video, Klavzar is seen and heard directing some explicit language toward the Aggies-a raw, unfiltered moment that echoed the intensity of the game itself.
Florida’s Edge Isn’t Just Talk
Look, no one’s condoning the language, but this is big-time college basketball. The trash talk doesn’t start and stop with the final horn-it’s part of the fabric of competition.
And if we’re being honest, Florida earned the right to talk a little. They didn’t just beat Texas A&M-they took control from the opening tip and never let go.
The Gators held the Aggies to just 19 points in the first half. That’s not a typo.
Nineteen. Florida’s defense was suffocating, their energy relentless, and their execution sharp.
Meanwhile, Texas A&M struggled to find any rhythm, and by the time they tried to respond-well, it was too late.
The frustration clearly boiled over after the game, but Florida wasn’t about to back down. That’s been a consistent theme under head coach Todd Golden. This team plays with an edge, and they don’t shy away from confrontation-on the scoreboard or in the heat of the moment.
A Statement Win with SEC Implications
This wasn’t just another win. It was a statement.
Florida came into a matchup of SEC contenders and made it clear who’s in control right now. The Gators have been building something under Golden, and performances like this show just how far they’ve come.
Yes, the postgame dust-up will grab headlines, but the real story is what happened over 40 minutes. Florida imposed their will, played with purpose, and walked off the floor with a commanding win-and a little extra fire on the way out.
If you’re looking for a team with swagger, toughness, and the ability to back it up, Florida just made their case. And if you're Texas A&M? Well, this one’s going to sting for a while.