The No. 1 Florida Gators opened the 2026-27 college basketball season on Monday with a convincing 77-67 victory against No. 14 Miami at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. Powered by a standout performance from senior forward Thomas Haugh, the top-ranked Gators demonstrated why they entered the year sitting at the summit of college basketball.
Thomas Haugh Leads Gators in Season Opener
Thomas Haugh made a strong opening statement for national player of the year honors, posting a team-high 19 points and 10 rebounds against the Hurricanes. Haugh chose to bypass the NBA Draft to return for his senior year with Florida, and his performance on Monday highlighted his value. The forward matched his career-high by sinking four of his eight 3-point attempts, a feat he previously accomplished against Texas Tech in the 2025 Elite Eight.
"I thought we did a great job," Florida coach Todd Golden said. "Really proud of my team. We competed the right way. We challenged our team over the past couple of weeks that we can't just compete and play hard. We have to play smart as well. I thought we did a better job putting those two things together tonight."
Haugh added regarding the team's chemistry: "We were out there playing and it just felt like everything was moving how we knew it was going to move. Nothing surprised us. We were able to stay on their tendencies of the guys and stuff."
Florida's Returning Core and Frontline Dominance
The Gators (1-0) boast significant continuity from their 2025 national championship run. Returners Rueben Chinyelu, Alex Condon, Boogie Fland, and Urban Klavžar all returned following last season's NCAA Tournament second-round exit against Iowa at the same Tampa arena. Additionally, Denzel Aberdeen returned to the program after spending time at Kentucky.
Florida's frontline, featuring Haugh, Chinyelu, and Condon, proved formidable against a large Miami frontcourt that featured Malik Reneau and Caleb Gaskins. The trio's physicality generates constant second-chance scoring opportunities and shuts down driving lanes on defense.
Key Takeaways From the Matchup
- Top-Ranked Start: Florida moved to 1-0 on the year with a 10-point victory over their in-state rivals.
- Acaden Lewis's Night: Miami guard Acaden Lewis led all scorers with 24 points, showing exceptional shotmaking and control running coach Jai Lucas's offense.
- Tough Schedule Ahead: Miami's nonconference slate features matchups against Alabama and Texas before opening ACC play against NC State.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Florida vs. Miami basketball game?
No. 1 Florida defeated No. 14 Miami with a final score of 77-67.
How many points and rebounds did Thomas Haugh record?
Thomas Haugh finished the game with a team-high 19 points and 10 rebounds while shooting four of eight from 3-point range.
Who led Miami in scoring during the season opener?
Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis led Miami with a game-high 24 points.