A whole host of dreams came true when the Gators became national champions back in 2025. A fantastically talented lineup did incredible work down the stretch, carving out Florida’s third title run since the turn of the century. Todd Golden asserted himself in a major way in just his third season at the helm in what many hope is just the beginning of great success down in Gainesville.
Although the Gators won the SEC regular season title this past season, they didn’t really live up to expectations thanks to an early Tourney exit. Florida finished the season 27-8 and a remarkable 16-2 in league play, but were upset by Iowa in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. While that early exit was a clear disappointment, the way things transpired this offseason have set them up nicely.
Almost everyone is back from last season for the Gators, including four starters, three of whom played a major role on that national title two seasons ago. Florida’s retention is off the charts compared to the rest of the country, giving Golden and company a viable national championship contender once again. They did add a few pieces but a lot of the minutes you’ll see this season will come from returning talent.
Many Florida or SEC fans already know the big names on the Gators roster, though we’ll spend a few moments running through the important players for the season ahead. We’re not going to make any major predictions or declarations quite yet, but getting this much talent back for another season in this era of college basketball is almost unprecedented.
Projected Starters
Guard – Boogie Fland (Junior)
Last year’s starting guard back once again, Fland is a former Top 20 recruit who did solid work at Arkansas before joining the Gators last offseason. His first year in Gainesville had ups and downs, with a largely impressive 11.6 points and 3.5 assists per game. Fland needs to find his outside shot again after struggling there as a sophomore, but should be a major asset for this team both on and off the ball.
Guard – Denzel Aberdeen (Senior)
His eligibility is still a question mark, but Aberdeen would be a profound addition to this lineup. A former Gator who played important minutes during that title run, he spent last year at Kentucky, putting up 13.5 points and 3.4 assists per game in a starring role for the Wildcats. Aberdeen put up the best shooting numbers of his career and brings experience and talent into the lineup, though we’ll see if he’s available for Golden and gang this year.
Forward – Thomas Haugh (Senior)
A vital frontcourt piece as an underclassman, last season was Haugh’s first as a starter for the Gators and he clearly rose to the occasion. He was named a Third Team All-American after averaging 17.1 points and 6.1 rebounds in a clear starring role for the Gators. Just one of the impressive future pro prospects back in Gainesville, expect more playmaking and shot-making in his senior year.
Forward/Center – Alex Condon (Senior)
A 6-11 forward from Australia, Condon first started on Florida’s title-winning team and has shown no signs of slowing down. As a junior, he averaged 15.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game, making his presence felt in the post while affecting the game on both ends. He’s another future pro with great speed and passing ability for his size, not to mention how he can affect the game with his length.
Center – Rueben Chinyelu (Senior)
Another overpowering presence in the frontcourt, Chinyelu was at Washington State as a freshman and has now had two incredible seasons with the Gators. Last year he averaged 10.9 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, leading the nation in total rebounds while becoming Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. He’s relatively successful in the paint on offense but on the defensive end he’s a nightmare matchup against any opponent.
Key Reserves
Guard – AJ Brown (Senior)
We did not see Brown on the basketball court last season, though the Gators are excited about what he can bring in the backcourt. He previously spent parts of three seasons playing at Ohio, including 13.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in his junior year before transferring. Brown is back and healthy and brings quite the punch on offense with his speed and shot-making ability.
Guard – Alex Lloyd (Sophomore)
There wasn’t a lot for Lloyd in the lineup last season, but the Gators know this former Top 50 recruit can do fantastic things. A 6-3 guard from Miami, he averaged just 1.2 points and 0.8 rebounds in very limited minutes but should take a step forward as a sophomore. Lloyd is a smooth shooter who can stuff the stat sheet, though we’ll have to see what kind of role he can claim as an underclassman in this experienced lineup.
Guard – Urban Klavzar (Senior)
A 6-1 guard from Slovenia, Klavzar is back for his third year with the Gators and should play a significant role once again. Last year’s SEC Sixth Man of the Year, he put up 9.6 points and 1.3 assists while knocking down 40% of his 3-pointers off the bench. If Garrison is ruled ineligible, then Klavzar slides into a major role in the starting five; though the Gators likely want him playing those kinds of minutes based on his production last season.
Guard – CJ Ingram (Sophomore)
Another major asset from last year’s recruiting class, Ingram is a 6-6 wing from the state of Florida who is still finding his footing in this lineup. His own minimal role saw just 2.2 points and 0.9 rebounds a game, but he’s back for year two nonetheless. A Top 30 recruit, Ingram has fantastic playmaking ability closer to the basket and pretty good strength and you should see him with more opportunities this season.
Center – Viktor Mikic (Junior)
Mikic is a 6-11 center out of Serbia who we frankly haven’t seen on the court very often. He’s spent two seasons as a backup for the Gators, which isn’t surprising when you look at the talent and experience in their frontcourt. Mikic averaged 1.3 points and 0.8 rebounds as a sophomore and honestly might take a big step up as a junior with his development and less frontcourt options off this bench.
Forward – Domen Petrovic (Junior)
A 6-9 forward from Slovenia, Petrovic is an actual offseason addition and someone who could find a notable role on this bench right away. While his eligibility was briefly a question, the 22-year old should be out there and be the top backup at the forward position with his scoring and rebounding ability. He’s the new guy in this system, but has plenty of overseas experience and the staff loves his size and physicality.
Guard – Isaiah Brown (Junior)
A reserve guard for the Gators these last two seasons, Brown is yet another rising name who could see a bigger role moving forward. He was a viable bench option last season, averaging 5.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in decent minutes for the Gators. His long-range shooting is still a work in progress at times, but he’s a slasher and physical presence who’d be in for a major boost in production if Garrison isn’t eligible.
Schedule Outlook
There’s excitement right from the jump, as the Gators head to Tampa on November 2nd to take on rival Miami to start the season. Just over a week later, it’s another in-state rivalry clash as they play at Florida State on the 10th. There are a few home dates sandwiched around, but then the month gets really interesting in Las Vegas.
The Gators are participating in the Players Era Festival the week before Thanksgiving, and will face Notre Dame then either Houston or Rutgers and a third opponent. Florida gets a major opportunity to prove if they are one of the nation’s best teams at that event.
The first night of December brings major intrigue, as they’ll host Duke as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge in a highly-anticipated matchup. The good news is that the rest of the nonconference slate pales in comparison to those games, though it’s not easy street either. They have two more neutral games in December, facing Georgia Tech in Orlando and Grand Canyon in Jacksonville before SEC play begins.
A rude welcome to conference play comes at Texas on January 2nd, the first of two games with the Longhorns this season. Florida also sees Georgia and South Carolina twice but have some tough road tests along the way. Their only looks at Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, and Tennessee all come in true road settings, though at least the season finale on March 6th is their only look at Kentucky in the regular season.
Season Outlook
First and foremost, the continuity here is off the charts and almost incomparable. Among the twelve notable players we mentioned, ten are returning from last season while an eleventh previously played three seasons with the Gators. It’s not just that familiarity with the system that’s worth celebrating; these are some phenomenal athletes that are back in Gainesville.
Fland may have struggled at times last season, but a second year with the Gators should produce significant results. If Garrison is eligible, he’s a powerful scorer and familiar name that will also settle into a major role in this backcourt. Even without him, Klavzar looks ready to play a major role while the bench is littered with young and veteran players looking to make their presence known.
We almost don’t have to talk about the frontcourt because everyone knows what they’re getting from the Gators. Haugh, Condon, and Chinyelu all could have gone to the next level early but instead all return for their senior years. Three former national champions construct the most talented frontcourt in the nation, while Mikic and Petrovic will certainly be tested in those depth roles as well.
Florida absolutely has the talent to win the national championship again this season. Frankly, they’ve got four major pieces from that title run back in the lineup and just talent looming at every position. Their 1-2-3 punch in the frontcourt is going to win a lot of matchups this season while someone like Fland or Klavzar could be what transforms the team from an early exit to another deep Tourney run.
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