Florida head coach Todd Golden isn’t just coaching with confidence - he’s coaching with receipts.
In the wake of the Charles Bediako eligibility drama that stirred up some tension between Florida and Alabama, Golden made it clear he wasn’t buying any excuses. Before the Gators even tipped off against the Crimson Tide, Golden had already thrown down the gauntlet, saying his team would win regardless of whether Bediako suited up. Then the Gators went out and backed it up - emphatically.
Florida didn’t just beat Alabama. They buried them, 100-77, in a statement win that turned into a showcase of interior dominance.
The Gators controlled the paint from start to finish, scoring a staggering 72 points down low and out-rebounding Alabama 44-33. That’s not just winning the battle inside - that’s owning the entire frontcourt.
But Golden wasn’t done.
Earlier in the week, Alabama head coach Nate Oats had taken a not-so-subtle jab at Florida’s paint presence, suggesting the Gators were getting away with camping out in the lane for “6, 7, 8, 9, 10 seconds at a time.” After the game, Golden responded - and he did it with a grin and a scoreboard to back him up.
“We scored 72 points in the paint,” Golden said. “And I thought our guys were in there for 1 second, 2 seconds, and then we’d score it.”
That’s a coach taking a shot - but doing it with numbers, not noise.
This wasn’t just a win for Florida; it was a flex. The Gators didn’t rely on hot shooting or a fluke run.
They dominated the most physical part of the game, and they did it against a team that questioned how they operate in the lane. Whether it was a subtle message or a direct response, Golden made sure his team let their play do the talking - and then he added the punctuation.
There’s a growing edge to this Florida team, and it starts at the top. Golden clearly believes in his group, and after a performance like that, it’s easy to see why.
They’re not just playing tough - they’re playing with purpose. And if there was any doubt about whether they could back up their coach’s bold words, Sunday’s blowout win made it crystal clear: the Gators are for real, and they’re not afraid to let you know it.