Golden Begins Year 2 With Florida Basketball

Second-year coach Todd Golden discussed his expectations for the Florida men’s basketball team this season and how the Gators will improve following a 20-14 campaign in 2022.

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More Depth

Coach Golden highlighted the increased depth in terms of talent that the team is seeing going into this year.

Additionally, he stated that more depth will allow the coaching staff to see which lineups will mesh well with each other, allow for more flexibility and create the ability to play both small and big.

Golden specifically emphasized depth at the point guard position.

Fifth year senior Zyon Pullin, junior Walter Clayton Jr. and sophomore Denzel Aberdeen are all expected to be contributors at the point guard spot, highlighting the depth at the position.

Golden praised the players’ different strengths and how they will contribute in this upcoming season.

Rebounding

Last season, Golden’s first at at the helm, Florida ranked T-171st overall in total rebounds per game, notching just 32 a night.

Outside of Colin Castleton, who is now with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Gators struggled with both offensive and defensive rebounding.

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Golden stated that increased front court depth will help.

Two New Transfers

The Gators took in two transfers this offseason: fifth-year senior forward Tyrese Samuel from Seton Hall and sophomore center Micah Handlogten from Marshall.

Samuel started all 33 games for Seton Hall last year, averaging 11.0 points and 3.7 rebounds while shooting 55.0% from the field. He also set a career high with 37 steals and 26 blocks.

Micah was named the 2023 Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year while at Marshall last season.

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The North Carolina native ranked 11th in the nation in blocked shots per game and 16th in rebounds per game.

Coach Golden praised both of the new faces on the team, highlighting their abilities and their potential impact on the team this season.

Golden specifically emphasized Samuel’s experience and skill that can be brought to the court for the Gators.

Riley Kugel

Sophomore guard Riley Kugel started his collegiate career at Florida with an impressive freshman campaign. The Orlando native earned SEC All-freshman honors in 2022.

Kugel averaged 9.9 points per game last season. However, his 12.6 points per game in SEC play was the most by a freshman at Florida since Bradley Beal in the 2011 season.

In his final 10 games of his freshman year, Kugel averaged 17.6 points per game. His streak of 10 straight games hitting double figures in points was the longest by a UF freshman since, once again, Bradley Beal in 2011.

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Coach Golden praised the off-season work that Kugel has put in, including his work on his game and improvement as a leader.

The Gators will open the 2023-24 season at home against Loyola Maryland on Nov. 6.