Thomas Haugh, Florida's Frontcourt Force, Eyes Redemption in Return to Georgia
When Florida and Georgia tip off again this Wednesday night in Athens, the stakes go beyond the SEC standings. For Gators star Thomas Haugh, it’s personal.
Last season, Haugh struggled in Gainesville’s road loss to the Bulldogs, managing just six points in an 88-83 defeat. That performance still lingers in his mind. But fast forward to this season, and the junior forward is playing like a man on a mission - and he’s got a score to settle.
“That’s going to be in the back of my mind when we go in there,” Haugh said Tuesday.
And how could it not be? Especially after what he did to Georgia last month.
In what might’ve been his most complete game in a Florida uniform, Haugh torched the Bulldogs for 21 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and three steals in a 92-77 home win on Jan. 6.
It was a statement performance - one that showcased his evolution from role player to centerpiece. But now, the Gators are heading back to Athens, and Haugh is bringing that same energy with him.
He won’t be the only one with something to prove. This is a matchup laced with tension - not just because of last year’s loss, but because Georgia is led by former Florida head coach Mike White. The Bulldogs are looking to flip the script, and they’ve got the firepower to do it.
Georgia’s offense is among the most explosive in the country, averaging 91.9 points per game - second nationally. Their tempo is relentless, especially with point guard Jeremiah Wilkinson leading the charge at 17.1 points per night. They push the pace like few others, trailing only Alabama in possessions per game among power conference teams.
But Florida isn’t exactly dragging its feet either. The Gators rank right behind Georgia in scoring, putting up 86.3 points per game. And lately, they’ve been doing it while locking down on the defensive end.
Since a Jan. 24 home loss to Auburn, Florida has flipped a switch defensively - and it’s showing in the results. The Gators have rattled off three straight wins by an average of nearly 30 points, climbing to the top of the SEC standings in the process.
Last Saturday’s 86-67 road win at Texas A&M was a defensive clinic. Florida held the Aggies to a season-low in scoring - 25 points below their average - and followed it up with a 100-77 beatdown of Alabama on Feb. 1, forcing 18 turnovers that led to 25 points.
Head coach Todd Golden isn’t shy about what’s fueling the Gators’ surge.
“It’s incredibly important for us to continue to take pride in our physicality and our defense and our rebounding being our identity,” Golden said. “It doesn’t have to be our whole identity, but it’s got to be a big part of it because there are a lot of explosive teams in our league.”
The last time Florida and Georgia met, the Gators’ physicality changed the game. The turning point came when Georgia’s 6-foot-11, 260-pound big man Somoto Cyril was ejected for elbowing Florida center Rueben Chinyelu with the Gators up 21-19.
From there, Florida’s frontcourt took over. They dominated the glass 56-35 and outscored Georgia by 20 in the paint.
That kind of frontcourt performance doesn’t happen by accident - and Haugh was at the heart of it.
At 6-foot-9 and 215 pounds, he’s become one of the most versatile bigs in college basketball. He’s averaging 17.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and logging 33.8 minutes per game - a workload that puts him on pace for one of the highest single-season totals in program history. His 22-point performance at Texas A&M was the 10th time this season he’s led the Gators in scoring.
Not bad for a guy who didn’t have another power conference offer coming out of high school.
Now, Haugh is set to play in his 100th college game - a milestone that means more when you consider where he started.
“Knock on wood,” he said. “But that’s crazy.
It’s a blessing. It’s been the best time of my life, so it’s kind of cool to get to do it 100 times.”
The 22-year-old is now a projected first-round NBA pick, and he’s not just chasing stats - he’s chasing moments. Wednesday night offers a chance to rewrite a chapter that’s stuck with him for a year. And if you know anything about Haugh, you know he’s not just ready - he’s eager.
“I love being a road warrior,” he said. “I love playing road games, going in there and ruining somebody’s day by beating them in their own place.”
He’ll get that chance in Athens. And if recent form is any indication, Georgia better be ready for a different Thomas Haugh than the one they saw last year - because this version is playing with purpose, and he’s got revenge on his mind.