No. 14 Miami gets the season started with a monster test, and it comes right away: No. 1 Florida.
That’s not exactly a gentle opener, but the Hurricanes believe this version of themselves is built for a shot like this. Miami enters the new season with one of the strongest rosters in the country, and the matchup with the Gators arrives with plenty of familiarity on both sides.
Florida is bringing back Thomas Haugh, one of the country’s top players, along with other rotation pieces Miami already dealt with in last season’s 82-68 loss. But that was only the beginning of Miami’s year.
After that setback, the Hurricanes bounced back and put together one of the best regular seasons in program history. Now they want more, and proving it starts against the top-ranked team in the country.
“I mean, for me, like it's what you play basketball for, so hopefully you want to play against the best teams, best players, you want to be on a national stage,” Miami sophomore combo guard Dante Allen said ahead of the matchup.
“So, I think it's going to be great for us. I think it's going to be a great game.
I think it's going to be a lot of fun. I know we're really excited for it.
I think the preseason's been a good test for us, seeing where we're at at times. Seeing where we need to improve, maybe individually and as a team, but I think it's all kind of gotten us prepared for this first game.”
Allen already has experience against Florida. As a freshman in last season’s meeting, he logged 15 minutes and made his presence felt on the defensive end with a steal, five rebounds, one three-pointer and three against. Foul trouble came early and limited what he could do after that.
He’s far from the only Hurricane with a recent look at the Gators. Shelton Henderson played them last season too, and so did SEC transfer Somto Cyril and Robert Miller. Both big men have had success against a team that leans on its frontcourt scoring, and that history has only sharpened Miami’s confidence heading into the opener.
That’s part of the appeal for head coach Jai Lucas, who sees value in having players who already know what Florida brings.
“You know, [Somto] and Rob both being in the SEC and playing against them last year, playing against them really for multiple years now, you get a different perspective when you play a team two times a year,” Lucas said.
“So, they've played these guys multiple times. So they understand the physicality and understand the stuff we're talking about because they've experienced it so much. But also the thing I'm excited about for both those guys, I think they've grown so much.
“They've been here so long that I don't think Florida is going to see the same Somto and the same Rob that they've seen before. So that's what I'm excited about for them within this game, and like I don't think they're going to see the same Miami that they saw last year. So I'm excited about the opportunity to go out and compete.”
Miami’s biggest difference from last season is on offense. There are more shooters, more ways to attack the paint and more players who can create a basket. The main question sits on the defensive end once the starters leave the floor.
Even with that concern, there’s a lot here that points toward a real upset chance. Miami has the pieces, the experience and the confidence to make things uncomfortable for Florida. Don’t be surprised if the Hurricanes open the season by shaking up the top of the rankings.
In Other News...
Florida Just Made Its Biggest Offensive Decision Before Georgia
Aaron Philo is back in the spotlight at the right time for Florida, and the Gators have made their call for the Georgia game. After Philo was sidelined by injury and Tramell Jones Jr. stepped in to lead a recent upset win, the quarterback situation had become one of the biggest questions hanging over the week. Now the job goes back to Philo, who helped fuel Floridas strong start to the season before the setback.
The timing matters because Georgia brings the kind of defense that can expose even small flaws in an offense. Florida is banking on Philos return to steady the group against the top-ranked unit on the schedule, while Jones surge has only added intrigue to the decision. For a rivalry game with plenty at stake, the Gators are choosing the quarterback they believe gives them the best chance to match Georgias pressure and keep the offense moving. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Heads Into Georgia With One Huge Question Still Unanswered
Floridas trip to Georgia comes with the usual rivalry pressure, but there is a bigger football question hanging over the Gators as they try to sort out a season that has gone from impressive to baffling and back again. Joel Klatt pointed to that week-to-week inconsistency, noting that Florida has paired significant wins with puzzling losses while still showing enough talent to make this one feel live.
The matchup also puts the spotlight on how Florida wants to play it, because the ability to run the ball and lean on a strong defensive line could go a long way toward keeping the game on script. Even so, the quarterback picture remains unsettled, with no starter announced and Tramell Jones and Aaron Philo both listed as questionable, leaving one of the teams most important decisions open as kickoff approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Florida May Be Getting A Massive Boost Right Before Georgia
Floridas passing game has been searching for consistency while the receiver room works through injuries to Eric Singleton Jr. and Vernell Brown III, a hit that has shown up in the offenses overall effectiveness over the last few games. The two bring different traits to the field, and when both are available, the group gives the Gators more options in how they can attack downfield and on the perimeter.
As Georgia looms, there is at least some reason for optimism that the receiving corps could be getting closer to full strength at just the right time. If that trend holds, it could open up more of the game plan Florida has been unable to fully lean on lately, with the real question being how quickly those pieces can be worked back into rhythm before the rivalry game arrives. [Read more 🡒]