Florida made a statement on Sunday - and it was loud.
The reigning national champions reminded everyone why they still belong in the title conversation, dismantling No. 23 Alabama in a dominant 100-77 win that showcased just how dangerous this Gators team can be when firing on all cylinders.
Let’s start with the obvious: Florida didn’t just beat Alabama - they overwhelmed them. Physically, tactically, and emotionally.
This was a game that felt close for about 20 minutes, but once the second half tipped off, the Gators hit the gas and never looked back. They opened the half with a 12-0 run and turned a manageable 10-point halftime lead into a full-on rout.
Paint Domination at Historic Levels
Florida’s frontcourt was relentless. The quartet of Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu, Alex Condon, and Micah Handlogten absolutely owned the interior.
The Gators outscored Alabama 72-26 in the paint - a number that’s not just eye-popping, it’s historic. According to ESPN, it marked the first time in at least 20 seasons that an SEC team dropped 70-plus points in the paint against a major conference opponent.
This wasn’t just a case of one or two mismatches. It was a full-on assault at the rim.
Drive after drive, cut after cut, pick-and-roll after pick-and-roll - Florida carved up Alabama’s interior defense with precision and power. Charles Bediako, the former G League big man now back in college hoops, had a couple of early blocks, but he and freshman Aiden Sherrell were overwhelmed by Florida’s size and depth inside.
The Gators didn’t just win the battle in the paint - they buried the Tide in it.
Boogie Fland: The Engine Behind the Chaos
While the bigs were feasting down low, Boogie Fland was orchestrating the chaos up top. The freshman guard turned in a complete performance - 15 points, 8 assists, and a jaw-dropping 8 steals. Two of those came in the first half on back-to-back sequences that led to easy layups, setting the tone for what would become a lopsided turnover margin.
Alabama turned it over 18 times. Florida?
Just two. That discrepancy fueled a 26-3 edge in fast-break points for the Gators.
Think about that - Alabama, one of the fastest-paced teams in the country, managed just three points in transition. That’s not just a win for Florida; it’s a tactical knockout.
Chinyelu vs. Bediako: One-Sided Showdown
Rueben Chinyelu was a force. The 6-foot-11 sophomore finished with 14 points, 16 rebounds, and two blocks, anchoring Florida’s defense and outplaying Bediako in every facet.
Bediako, playing in just his third game since returning from the professional ranks, fouled out with six points and seven boards in 24 minutes. Florida fans let him hear it, too - the chants of “G League dropout!”
echoing through the arena as he stepped to the line.
This matchup had some added spice, thanks to Florida coach Todd Golden’s comments earlier in the week. Golden had voiced his frustration with the NCAA’s eligibility loopholes that allowed Bediako - who had played professionally for over two years after declaring for the NBA Draft - to return to college.
But Golden didn’t dwell on the controversy. Instead, he confidently said Florida would “beat them anyway.”
And that’s exactly what they did - for the fourth straight time under Golden’s leadership.
Florida’s Ceiling Is Rising
With the win, Florida improves to 16-6 overall and 7-2 in SEC play. They’ve now won two games this week by a combined 70 points. That kind of dominance - especially against a ranked opponent like Alabama - sends a clear message: this team is built for March.
They may not have looked like last year’s juggernaut through the first half of the season, but the Gators are rounding into form at the right time. The frontcourt depth is elite.
The guard play is steady and disruptive. And the confidence is growing.
Yes, Texas A&M is still the surprise leader atop the SEC. And yes, Tennessee is playing some of its best basketball right now. But when it comes to upside - real, national-title-caliber upside - Florida might have the highest ceiling in the conference.
Alabama Still Searching for Answers
For Alabama, this was a humbling afternoon. Even with a healthy backcourt and the addition of Bediako, the Tide were thoroughly outclassed.
The offensive firepower is there, and the Final Four potential is real, but the defensive issues are glaring. Giving up 100 points - and 72 in the paint - is not a recipe for postseason success.
The Tide will have to regroup quickly, especially with Bediako’s eligibility still under review in court later this week. But Sunday’s loss showed how far they still have to go to compete with the SEC’s elite.
The Bottom Line
Florida didn’t just win - they made a statement. A national champion doesn’t have to remind you of their pedigree, but when they do it like this, it’s hard not to take notice. The Gators looked every bit like a team capable of making another deep run in March.
If this is the version of Florida we’re going to see moving forward, the rest of the SEC - and maybe the rest of the country - should be on high alert.