No. 1 Florida opened the 2026-27 college basketball season with a convincing 77-67 victory over No. 14 Miami on Monday at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa.
Senior forward Thomas Haugh, a national player of the year candidate who returned for his final season, led the Gators with 19 points and 10 rebounds. He matched his career-best 3-point shooting performance by hitting four of eight attempts from beyond the arc, a feat he last accomplished in the 2025 Elite Eight against Texas Tech.
Haugh's player of the year case strengthens
Haugh's all-around game was on full display as he contributed across the board. "We were out there playing and it just felt like everything was moving how we knew it was going to move," Haugh said. "Nothing surprised us." Coach Todd Golden praised his team's competitiveness and intelligence: "I thought we did a great job. Really proud of my team. We competed the right way."
Florida's frontline dominates
The Gators' frontcourt trio of Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu and Alex Condon imposed their physicality on both ends, wearing down Miami's big lineup. Florida also benefited from the return of Denzel Aberdeen, who rejoined the program for a fifth year of eligibility after a stint at Kentucky.
Miami's Acaden Lewis emerges
Despite the loss, Miami guard Acaden Lewis impressed with a game-high 24 points, showcasing his shot-making and control of the offense. The Villanova transfer appears poised for a breakout sophomore season under coach Jai Lucas.
Florida (1-0) will look to build on the statement win, while Miami faces a challenging non-conference slate including Alabama and Texas before ACC play begins.
