Top-ranked Florida men’s basketball hosts Stetson for its second and final exhibition game starting at 7 tonight.
Stetson finished last season with a 12-21 record and went 7-11 in ASUN conference play. The Hatters have made one NCAA Tournament appearance in school history, losing to eventual 2024 national champion UConn 91-52 in the first round.
The Hatters have some key additions coming into this season.
Junior forward Makhi Myles played one season at Southeastern Louisiana averaging 7.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Roman Miller is another key transfer, coming from Cowley College where he averaged 14.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
The Gators opened exhibition play with an 82-76 overtime loss to Baylor on Oct. 18 in Jacksonville. The Gators struggled by shooting 34.7% and 4-for-29 from 3-point range.
The loss wasn’t the end of the world for Gators coach Todd Golden.
“There’s a reason why you play these exhibitions,” Golden said. “Get an opportunity to try to figure some things out, learn from your mistakes.”
Preseason SEC Player of the Year Thomas Haugh led the team with 19 points and made two of the team’s 3-pointers. Fans got their first look at fifth-year guard Denzel Aberdeen, who transferred back to UF after playing at Kentucky last season. Aberdeen went 3-for-17 from the floor and 0-for-10 from 3-point range in 36 minutes against Baylor. Standing by him with an 0-for-7 shooting performance was Urban Klavzar.
“We have to do a lot better offensively,” Golden said in his media availability last Wednesday. “We still did OK, process wise.”
One bright spot was senior center Rueben Chinyelu, who recorded a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds.
Defensively, the Gators showed promise against Baylor by outrebounding the Bears 46-41, including 26-12 on the offensive glass. Florida hopes to capitalize on its defensive effort heading into Tuesday’s matchup.
Coverage for the exhibition game starts at 6:30 p.m. on WRUF 98.1-FM/850-AM/103.7-FM HD2 ESPN and at 7 p.m. on SEC Network+.
The Gators open the regular season at 6 p.m. Monday against No. 14 Miami in Tampa.
