Gators’ Thomas Haugh Eyes Revenge, Milestone in Return Trip to Georgia
GAINESVILLE - When Florida and Georgia clash on the hardwood, things tend to get personal. For Thomas Haugh, Wednesday night’s matchup in Athens is more than just another SEC showdown - it’s a chance to settle a score.
The junior forward has already delivered one of the most dominant performances of his career against the Bulldogs this season. Back on Jan. 6 in Gainesville, Haugh put together a stat sheet-stuffing masterpiece: 21 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and three steals in a 92-77 rout of then-No.
18 Georgia. It was a performance that showcased his full arsenal - length, timing, court vision, and a motor that doesn’t quit.
But last year in Athens, it was a different story. Haugh managed just six points in a frustrating 88-83 loss that still lingers in his memory.
“That’s going to be in the back of my mind when we go in there,” Haugh said Tuesday, clearly locked in ahead of his 100th college game.
Florida’s frontcourt took control early in that January win, but it came with a turning point. Georgia’s 6-foot-11, 260-pound big man Somoto Cyril was ejected for elbowing Gators center Rueben Chinyelu with Florida holding a slim 21-19 lead. From there, the Gators pounced - dominating the boards 56-35 and outscoring the Bulldogs by 20 in the paint.
“That was a big advantage for us,” Florida head coach Todd Golden admitted. And the Gators didn’t waste it.
But Georgia at full strength is a different beast. The Bulldogs are one of the most explosive offenses in the country, averaging 91.9 points per game - second nationally. Florida isn’t far behind at 86.3, and lately, they’ve added a defensive edge that’s put them atop the SEC standings.
Since a home loss to Auburn on Jan. 24, No.
14 Florida (17-6, 8-2 SEC) has ripped off three straight wins by an average margin of nearly 30 points. That stretch includes an 86-67 statement road win over then-co-leader Texas A&M, where the Gators held the Aggies to a season-low scoring output - 25 points below their average.
A few nights earlier, they forced 18 turnovers and turned them into 25 points in a 100-77 demolition of Alabama.
Golden’s message has been clear: defense and rebounding are the foundation.
“It’s incredibly important for us to continue to take pride in our physicality and our defense and our rebounding being our identity,” he said Tuesday. “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.”
Georgia is certainly one of them. Led by point guard Jeremiah Wilkinson, who averages 17.1 points, the Bulldogs push the pace as well as anyone - trailing only Alabama in possessions per game among power conference teams.
Last year’s game in Athens showed just how dangerous Georgia can be at home. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 26-point lead and held off a furious Florida rally to win 88-83.
That loss, however, became a turning point for the Gators. They caught fire afterward, winning 12 straight and capturing the program’s third national championship.
Haugh was instrumental in that run, evolving from a role player into a centerpiece. Now, as a 6-foot-9, 215-pound junior, he’s taken another leap - averaging 17.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 33.8 minutes per game. That workload puts him on track for one of the highest minute totals in school history, and he’s led the team in scoring 10 times this season, including a 22-point showing at Texas A&M.
Wednesday’s game will mark Haugh’s 100th college appearance - a milestone that carries extra meaning for a former 3-star recruit who didn’t hold another power conference offer.
“Knock on wood,” Haugh said with a grin. “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.”
Now, the 22-year-old - a projected NBA first-round pick - has his sights set on making this milestone game one to remember. The stakes are high, the rivalry is real, and Haugh is embracing the moment.
“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.”
The Gators are rolling. Haugh is locked in.
And Georgia? They’re about to get Florida’s full attention - again.