The top-ranked Florida Gators began the 2026-27 college basketball season with a 77-67 victory against No. 14 Miami on Monday in Tampa, Florida. National player of the year candidate Thomas Haugh led the charge for the Gators with a team-high 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Haugh Shines in Season Opener
Haugh matched the best 3-point shooting night of his college career by converting four of his eight attempts from beyond the arc. His previous performance with four made 3-pointers came against Texas Tech in the 2025 Elite Eight during Florida’s run to the national title.
Florida head coach Todd Golden praised his squad’s performance after the game. Golden stated that the team competed correctly and combined hard work with smart execution over the course of the matchup, according to his remarks reported by CBS Sports Headlines.
The Gators returned several key players from last season’s roster, including Rueben Chinyelu, Alex Condon, Boogie Fland, and Urban Klavžar. Denzel Aberdeen also returned to Florida following a stint at Kentucky.
Takeaways From the Matchup
Haugh demonstrated his versatility beyond scoring, anchoring a Florida frontcourt alongside Chinyelu and Condon that physicalized both ends of the floor. Haugh noted that the team felt entirely prepared and comfortable with the opponent’s tendencies on the court.
For Miami, the season-opening loss against the nation’s top team serves as a challenging test before lighter matchups in their nonconference schedule. The Hurricanes’ upcoming schedule features games against Alabama and Texas prior to an ACC opener against NC State.
Miami guard Acaden Lewis stood out as the Hurricanes’ top performer, recording a game-high 24 points while directing the offense. The Villanova transfer displayed strong shotmaking abilities that position him to lead his team in scoring this season.
Florida will continue its season seeking a second national title in three years, while Miami looks to use the early-season defeat to build momentum toward March.
