Thomas Haugh Is A Preseason All-American, And Florida’s October 18th Showdown Against Baylor Is Your First Look

Florida basketball is locked and loaded with one of the most talented rosters in the country, and they are gunning for a second national title in three years. High expectations are buzzing for the Orange and Blue, who are primed for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament this season.

Florida’s Title Hopes Kick Off Early

CBS Sports writer David Cobb dropped Florida’s exhibition against the Baylor Bears right into his top 10 October preseason games, and for good reason. Coach Todd Golden’s squad isn’t just returning the majority of its rotation; they are bringing back several stars who were part of their 2025 national title run. We are talking about a team widely expected to debut at No. 1 in the AP preseason poll later this month. Small forward Thomas Haugh is already tagged as a preseason All-American, and alongside Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu, they might just form the best 4-5 tandem in the nation. Florida is pushing for a third consecutive No. 1 seed, so yeah, this isn’t just some warm-up game.

Baylor’s Got Something To Prove

On the other side of the court, Baylor’s situation is intriguing, to say the least. They missed the NCAA Tournament last year for the first time since 2018. That’s a gut punch for any program, and they are definitely looking to bounce back. The Bears are rolling out brothers Kayden Mingo and Dylan Bingo as a talented backcourt duo, but let’s be real, Baylor has a whole lot to prove if they want to get back to being considered among the Big 12’s elite. This exhibition is a huge chance for them to make a statement against a national powerhouse.

What’s Next For The Gators and Bears

So mark your calendars, because this preseason showdown goes down on Sunday, October 18, in Jacksonville, Florida, tipping off at 2 p.m. ET. Right now, broadcast details haven’t been revealed, but trust me, you are gonna want to find a way to watch this one. This isn’t just hoops; it is the first look at a team with serious national title aspirations against a squad hungry for redemption.

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.