No. 1 Florida kicked off their season opener with a dominant 77-67 win over No. 14 Miami on Monday night, powered by an absolute monster performance from Thomas Haugh. The 6-foot-9 senior exploded for 19 points and 10 rebounds, setting the tone for what looks like a terrifying Gators squad.
Haugh’s Unstoppable Opening Statement
Haugh, who was named the preseason Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, showed exactly why he would have been a lottery pick if he’d gone to the NBA. He was relentless from start to finish, notching five offensive boards, dishing out four assists, snagging two steals, and adding a block. He kept his slate clean with zero turnovers and even drained 4 of 8 from beyond the arc. This wasn’t just a good game, it was a statement. Rueben Chinyelu also crushed it on the glass, pulling down 14 rebounds himself, adding six points to the mix. These guys just showed up with muscle and effort, and it paid off big time.
Miami Fought Back, But The Gators Had All The Answers
Miami didn’t roll over easy, though. Acaden Lewis, a transfer from Villanova, looked sharp in his Hurricanes debut, leading his team with 24 points. They even started the second half on an 8-0 run, cutting Florida’s lead to a nerve-wracking 53-51 after Somto Cyril slammed home a putback dunk. But Florida, a team that’s managed to keep its roster nucleus together for years, just dug in. Their defense clamped down, holding the Hurricanes without a field goal for a solid five-minute stretch. When Urban Klavzar hit a three-pointer, the Gators still had control, up 66-55. Even when Haugh missed, his teammates were right there to clean it up, like Isaiah Brown’s putback dunk that gave Florida a 44-32 lead late in the first half. After a tight first eight minutes, Florida went on a 9-0 run and never trailed again. This was a physical battle between in-state rivals, too, with two technicals and three fouls upgraded to flagrants. This team is ready to play tough.
Next up, Florida hosts Jacksonville on Thursday night. If Haugh and the Gators keep this kind of energy, good luck to anyone trying to stop them this season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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