The red-hot Florida Gators are surging at the perfect time.
Sitting at 19-6 overall and 10-2 in SEC play, Florida will look to capture its sixth consecutive victory when it hosts the South Carolina Gamecocks (11-14, 2-10 SEC) on Tuesday night. With first place in the conference on the line and March momentum building, the stakes continue to rise for a team that appears to be peaking at just the right moment.
Florida is coming off one of its most impressive wins of the season — a 92-83 triumph over No. 25 Kentucky. In that game, the Gators displayed offensive firepower, defensive toughness and the depth that has become their calling card.
Guard Xaivian Lee led the charge with 22 points, attacking the rim with confidence and knocking down timely shots. Forward Alex Condon added a strong inside presence with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Urban Klavzar delivered a spark off the bench, pouring in 19 points and hitting five 3-pointers. The Gators’ balanced scoring and ability to stretch the floor proved too much for the Wildcats.
Center Rueben Chinyelu once again demonstrated his importance to the team’s identity. He recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, marking yet another game in which his presence dictated the tempo inside. Florida is now 15-0 when Chinyelu posts a double-double — a statistic that highlights just how critical he is to the team’s success on both ends of the court.
After the Kentucky victory, head coach Todd Golden praised the Wildcats while acknowledging the significance of his team’s performance.
“They’re talented. Obviously, a $22 million roster. They’re physical, they’re big, and I expect them to do well the rest of the year,” Golden said. “They’re a really good team.”
But it was Florida that walked away with the statement win — and perhaps a louder message to the rest of the SEC.
The Gators’ confidence is fueled not only by their recent success but also by their previous dominant performance against South Carolina. When the two teams met on Jan. 28 in Columbia, Florida overwhelmed the Gamecocks in a 95-48 blowout. The game was effectively decided by halftime, with the Gators leading by 28 points before continuing their dominance in the second half.
Five Florida players scored in double figures during that contest, led by forward Thomas Haugh’s 18 points. The Gators were clinical offensively, shooting 62% from the field and 43% from beyond the arc. Their defense was equally suffocating, limiting South Carolina to just 26% shooting overall and a staggering 15% from three-point range. Florida also controlled the glass, outrebounding the Gamecocks 45-24.
That performance embodied what Florida has become: efficient, aggressive and relentless.
South Carolina, however, will look to regroup and avoid another lopsided outcome. The Gamecocks are led by Meechie Johnson, who averages 16.7 points and 4.2 assists per game. Johnson is capable of heating up quickly and creating offense off the dribble, but he struggled mightily in the previous matchup against Florida. He finished with just 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting and missed all of his attempts from three-point range.
EJ Walker was South Carolina’s leading rebounder in that game, grabbing six boards in 17 minutes off the bench. For the Gamecocks to compete this time around, they will need more production across the board — particularly against a Florida team that thrives on defensive pressure and transition opportunities.
The trajectories of the two programs could not be more different.
Florida has won nine of its last 10 games and is allowing just 71.3 points per game during that stretch. The Gators have tightened up defensively, rotated with discipline and forced opponents into difficult, contested shots. Their offensive rhythm has also improved, with multiple scoring options emerging each night.
Golden believes his team is trending in the right direction.
“We’re trending,” he said. “We just want to get better, and we’ve definitely done that over the course of conference play.”
That growth is reflected in the standings. Florida currently holds sole possession of first place in the SEC, a remarkable achievement considering the competitive depth of the conference. With March Madness projections placing the Gators as a potential No. 3 seed — and possibly even a No. 2 seed if their winning streak continues — every game carries added importance.
Meanwhile, South Carolina is searching for answers. The Gamecocks are 1-9 in their last 10 games and have struggled defensively, allowing 86 points per game during that span. Inconsistency on offense and lapses on defense have plagued them throughout conference play.
Still, rivalry games and late-season matchups can produce surprises. Florida understands that despite its previous 47-point victory, it cannot afford to overlook any opponent — especially one looking to salvage pride and shift momentum.
For the Gators, the formula remains simple: dominate the paint with Chinyelu, move the ball effectively on the perimeter and maintain defensive intensity from the opening tip. If they do so, their depth and confidence should once again separate them from the Gamecocks.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, and the atmosphere is expected to be electric as Florida aims to extend its winning streak to six. With the SEC race tightening and March looming closer, the Gators are not just playing for another win — they are building a case as one of the most dangerous teams in the nation.
Momentum is on their side. Confidence is growing. And if Florida continues this level of play, the rest of the conference — and perhaps the country — will have no choice but to take notice.
