What’s Next For Florida Basketball After Heartbreak Loss
As the No. 1 seed in the South region of the NCAA Tournament, Florida men’s basketball’s expectations were sky high, as the team was looking to repeat as national champions.
However, the goal ended just two games into the Tournament. The Gators (27-8) fell short against No. 9 seed Iowa (23-12), 73-72, on Sunday in the Round of 32 at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa.
After winning 12 straight games, the Gators’ flaws in shooting and ball security showed in the SEC Tournament loss to Vanderbilt, similar to the problems at the beginning of the season. Florida routed Prairie View A&M on Friday in the first round of the NCAA tourney.
The Gators did hit six 3s, but turned the ball over 11 times in the loss against Iowa. In the end, the Gators lost in heartbreaking fashion after finding a way to take the lead late.
It was the only time this season the Gators lost shooting more than 30% from 3.
“Really proud of our guys and the way we fought,” coach Todd Golden said. “… just did a poor job executing on both ends in the last two minutes.”
With the season over, the Gators look to the program’s future, which could include a revamped roster. Here’s what comes next for basketball.
Loading ...Future of the Frontcourt
The Gators are expected to lose forwards Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon and center Rueben Chinyelu to the NBA Draft.
Haugh is projected to be a lottery pick in the latest mock draft from ESPN and a top-20 pick in Bleacher Report’s mock draft. However, Haugh struggled in what should be his final game as a Gator, shooting just 3 for 11 and 2 for 8 from 3.
“In the first half, I was just out of it,” he said. “I just feel bad. I didn’t make any plays, didn’t do anything to help the team out to win the first half.”
Condon is projected to be drafted 41st overall in BR’s mock draft. However, reports indicated he is still split on his decision to return to the Gators for his senior year.
At the post-game news conference, he and Haugh were asked by reporters if they would say they had a “hell of a run” at Florida.
“It’s hard in this moment to say that,” Condon said. “You’ve just got to cop this one on the chin and take it in stride, I guess.”
Chinyelu, meanwhile, is projected to go 45th in BR’s mock draft. He is in the running for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 10.9 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. If he wins the award, expect him to test the draft market as he did last year.
Senior center Micah Handlogten is not expected to return to the Gators. But UF has filed paperwork with the NCAA petitioning for Handlogten to be granted a fifth year of eligibility.
The Gators should prepare to bring in an entirely new frontcourt for next season.
The Future of the Backcourt
During the offseason, the Gators brought in guards Xaivian Lee from Princeton and Boogie Fland from Arkansas to replace the backcourt of Walter Clayton Jr. and Alijah Martin.
They showed flashes of potential during the Gators’ 12-game winning streak, but both of them struggled to find any sort of offensive consistency throughout the season, as they each shot under 30% from 3 for the season.
Lee will not return, graduating this year, but Fland is the only starter expected to return next season for the Gators. Backup guards Urban Klavzar and Isaiah Brown are also expected to return, but could be in line for NIL deals from other programs.
High School Recruiting
The Gators only have one signed high school recruit for 2026, center Jones Lay, and are ranked 146th nationally for recruiting. Florida coach Todd Golden needs to start recruiting high school players to fill roster spots. The team could also look to the portal to bring them more success.
Golden and his staff will have their hands full in building the 2026-27 roster.
Category: Basketball, College Basketball, Gators Men's Basketball, NCAA, NCAA Tournament, Uncategorized
