Gators Men’s Basketball Holds Off Hurricanes in Physical Opener
TAMPA — Florida men’s basketball opened its season Monday night with a physical game against Miami. Rueben Chinyelu and Somto Cyril battled in the paint all night, with both teams pushing for space and taking elbows to the head, but the Gators held their ground against the Hurricanes’ physical game plan.
No. 1 Florida beat No. 14 Miami 77-67, winning the perimeter battle, capitalizing on turnovers and matching the Hurricanes’ physicality. The Gators’ shooting in the exhibitions had been a concern, but they answered Monday, hitting 42% from 3-point range (11 of 26) and 43% from the field (23 of 53).
Cyril brought the physicality, picking up four personal fouls, including a flagrant, but Chinyelu won the battle in the paint. He outrebounded Cyril 14-7 and added three blocks as Florida finished with five to Miami’s zero.
Leading the charge for Florida was Thomas Haugh, who finished with a team-high 19 points, 10 rebounds and four 3-pointers. The senior forward excelled at finding off-ball shots and knocking them down with ease, shooting 6-of-13 (46%) from the floor.
The defense was never the concern. Florida held Miami to 35% shooting and 4-of-17 from 3-point range. Paired with an offensive rhythm in the first half, when the Gators scored 46 points, that defensive effort and the Gators’ ability to capitalize on turnovers gave them control. Florida scored 21 points off 11 Miami turnovers. Boogie Fland, who ranked fourth in the SEC in steals last season, led the Gators with four.
The second half was a cold-shooting stretch, with Florida shooting 32% to Miami’s 29%. It became a gritty half-court grind, with both teams battling in the paint, and the half ended 31-31, preserving Florida’s 10-point halftime lead. The Gators won the rebounding battle 44-39 for the game.
Despite the cold second half, Florida took the season opener and will return to Gainesville for the home opener against Jacksonville on Thursday at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.
Category: Feature Sports News, Gator Sports, Gators Men's Basketball
