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With three losses already this season, Florida struggled defensively against Arizona (93–87) and TCU (84–80), and did not shoot well enough (46% on 2s, 25% on 3s) in a tough 67–66 loss to Duke on Tuesday.
Todd Golden’s offense emphasizes pace, smart shot selection, and a balanced attack built on ball screens, spacing, and catch-and-shoot opportunities. Last year’s team executed this at an elite level with consistent scoring from multiple positions, especially in transition. This season, the core system is the same, but the new backcourt of Xaivian Lee (Princeton) and Boogie Fland (Arkansas) has made the guard play more inconsistent, particularly from three and with turnovers.
Like last year, the defense excels at forcing isolation looks over smooth ball movement, and their perimeter defense remains one of the best in the nation, with their strongest defenders in the frontcourt. In terms of matchups, Florida fouls frequently and often puts opponents’ best free-throw shooters on the line, so it remains to be seen whether UConn’s slashers and scorers can attack the rim and draw contact. Florida’s defense also isn’t particularly aggressive in generating turnovers.
While Golden had the flexibility to mix-and-match rotations last year, he has largely stuck to a seven-man rotation this season, with more than half of their lineups featuring three players 6'9" or taller.
After coming off the bench the last two seasons, junior forward Thomas Haugh has emerged as the clear alpha on Florida’s offense. Ranked by KenPom as the ninth-best player in the nation, Haugh was miscast as a power forward the past two years, but he is now a big small forward who can still play as a post option or stretch four. He has also taken on more responsibilities as a point-forward. Despite his strong all-around numbers, Haugh still excels in the gritty, blue-collar aspects of the game and provides consistent defense, just as he did last year.
After playing some small-ball five last season, Alex Condon is now primarily Florida’s power forward and, in my opinion, is one of the most underappreciated players in the country. With an elite motor and a ranking as Florida’s second-best defender by EvanMiya.com, the Australian is also extremely versatile offensively—he can shoot, pass, and break defenders down off the dribble. Few players in the nation match his combination of toughness and high-efficiency skill. So far, Condon has improved his free-throw percentage to 70%, but his three-point percentage has dipped from 33% last year to 13% this season.
Nearly all of Florida’s rotations feature the tag team of Rueben Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten at the five. Chinyelu is a classic low-post big who keeps things simple on offense and is an excellent screener and low-post defender. Ranked by EvanMiya.com as Florida’s best defender, he is intense, physical, tough, and one of the better rebounders in the nation.
More of a 3-and-D player at Marshall, the massive Micah Handlogten keeps his offensive game simple at Florida and remains a lockdown rim protector. Though an average athlete for a 7'1" center, his footwork has improved, and he continues to be one of the most efficient interior bigs in the country.
While Florida’s frontcourt is fantastic and remains intact from last year, this year’s backcourt has been wildly disappointing after the Gators lost their four primary guards from last season’s championship team.
Princeton senior transfer Xaivian Lee has been Florida’s biggest disappointment so far, and his struggles resemble Aidan Mahaney’s issues last year. Like Mahaney, Lee has excellent feel, shiftiness, and was a three-level scorer at Princeton, but his slight frame and poor shooting (32% on 2s, 21% on 3s) have put too much pressure on a mid-major transfer being asked to thrive in a more physical league on a title-contending roster. Looking back at Princeton’s schedule last year, their toughest opponent was Yale—and Lee scored just 16 points on 6-for-24 shooting combined in both matchups against the Bulldogs.
Boogie Fland has also underperformed after receiving an NIL deal reportedly worth over $2 million. Recruited by Golden to be Walter Clayton Jr.’s plug-and-play replacement, Fland can create his own offense inside the arc with his change-of-pace and poise, but he has struggled with his outside shot and has only three more assists than turnovers this season.
One bright spot for the Gators is sophomore Urban Klavzar, who has stepped up with more minutes thanks to the struggles of Lee and Fland. The first guard off the bench, Klavzar is a capable secondary ball-handler and a confident three-level scorer, averaging 13 points per game over the last five contests. About 14% of Golden’s lineups include all three guards on the floor together, but this typically happens only when Haugh or Condon gets into foul trouble.
Considering their struggle to score and protect the rock, it would not surprise me if Florida mucks it up a little more than what is expected of this team in the preseason, similar to what we saw in the Duke/Florida game. Golden wants this team to play fast, but against Duke, they tried to control the tempo more and lean more into the defense and interior play of their excellent frontcourt.
Todd Golden’s offense emphasizes pace, smart shot selection, and a balanced attack built on ball screens, spacing, and catch-and-shoot opportunities. Last year’s team executed this at an elite level with consistent scoring from multiple positions, especially in transition. This season, the core system is the same, but the new backcourt of Xaivian Lee (Princeton) and Boogie Fland (Arkansas) has made the guard play more inconsistent, particularly from three and with turnovers.
Like last year, the defense excels at forcing isolation looks over smooth ball movement, and their perimeter defense remains one of the best in the nation, with their strongest defenders in the frontcourt. In terms of matchups, Florida fouls frequently and often puts opponents’ best free-throw shooters on the line, so it remains to be seen whether UConn’s slashers and scorers can attack the rim and draw contact. Florida’s defense also isn’t particularly aggressive in generating turnovers.
While Golden had the flexibility to mix-and-match rotations last year, he has largely stuck to a seven-man rotation this season, with more than half of their lineups featuring three players 6'9" or taller.
After coming off the bench the last two seasons, junior forward Thomas Haugh has emerged as the clear alpha on Florida’s offense. Ranked by KenPom as the ninth-best player in the nation, Haugh was miscast as a power forward the past two years, but he is now a big small forward who can still play as a post option or stretch four. He has also taken on more responsibilities as a point-forward. Despite his strong all-around numbers, Haugh still excels in the gritty, blue-collar aspects of the game and provides consistent defense, just as he did last year.
After playing some small-ball five last season, Alex Condon is now primarily Florida’s power forward and, in my opinion, is one of the most underappreciated players in the country. With an elite motor and a ranking as Florida’s second-best defender by EvanMiya.com, the Australian is also extremely versatile offensively—he can shoot, pass, and break defenders down off the dribble. Few players in the nation match his combination of toughness and high-efficiency skill. So far, Condon has improved his free-throw percentage to 70%, but his three-point percentage has dipped from 33% last year to 13% this season.
Nearly all of Florida’s rotations feature the tag team of Rueben Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten at the five. Chinyelu is a classic low-post big who keeps things simple on offense and is an excellent screener and low-post defender. Ranked by EvanMiya.com as Florida’s best defender, he is intense, physical, tough, and one of the better rebounders in the nation.
More of a 3-and-D player at Marshall, the massive Micah Handlogten keeps his offensive game simple at Florida and remains a lockdown rim protector. Though an average athlete for a 7'1" center, his footwork has improved, and he continues to be one of the most efficient interior bigs in the country.
While Florida’s frontcourt is fantastic and remains intact from last year, this year’s backcourt has been wildly disappointing after the Gators lost their four primary guards from last season’s championship team.
Princeton senior transfer Xaivian Lee has been Florida’s biggest disappointment so far, and his struggles resemble Aidan Mahaney’s issues last year. Like Mahaney, Lee has excellent feel, shiftiness, and was a three-level scorer at Princeton, but his slight frame and poor shooting (32% on 2s, 21% on 3s) have put too much pressure on a mid-major transfer being asked to thrive in a more physical league on a title-contending roster. Looking back at Princeton’s schedule last year, their toughest opponent was Yale—and Lee scored just 16 points on 6-for-24 shooting combined in both matchups against the Bulldogs.
Boogie Fland has also underperformed after receiving an NIL deal reportedly worth over $2 million. Recruited by Golden to be Walter Clayton Jr.’s plug-and-play replacement, Fland can create his own offense inside the arc with his change-of-pace and poise, but he has struggled with his outside shot and has only three more assists than turnovers this season.
One bright spot for the Gators is sophomore Urban Klavzar, who has stepped up with more minutes thanks to the struggles of Lee and Fland. The first guard off the bench, Klavzar is a capable secondary ball-handler and a confident three-level scorer, averaging 13 points per game over the last five contests. About 14% of Golden’s lineups include all three guards on the floor together, but this typically happens only when Haugh or Condon gets into foul trouble.
Considering their struggle to score and protect the rock, it would not surprise me if Florida mucks it up a little more than what is expected of this team in the preseason, similar to what we saw in the Duke/Florida game. Golden wants this team to play fast, but against Duke, they tried to control the tempo more and lean more into the defense and interior play of their excellent frontcourt.
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