No. 3 UF routs North Florida by 40 as Gators bounce back from Arizona loss

GAINESVILLE — Florida moved past a season-opening loss to Arizona with a vengeance, summoning a defensive effort and performance from All-America candidate Alex Condon sorely missed Monday night in Las Vegas.

North Florida never really stood a chance as the Gators rolled to a 104-64 win Thursday night after losing 93-87 to open their title defense.

But national championship vibes still were in the air at the O’Connell Center. A packed house of 10,065 roared prior to tip-off as the school unveiled the 2025 championship banner, now hanging in the rafters on the stadium’s east side.

Despite the energy in the building and the UF’s talent advantage, North Florida put up an early fight. The teams traded the lead six times during the first five minutes before the Gators steadily pulled away and put down the defensive clamps.

The Ospreys shot just 31% while UF shot 49% from the floor as the Gators won their 35th straight home opener, dating to a 76-74 loss to Texas in 1990 during coach Lon Kruger’s first season at UF.

Condon led the way with 25 points on 8-of-12 shooting and 10 rebounds for his 10th career double-double, while adding four assists, three blocks, two steals and just one turnover. The performance followed a miserable outing in Las Vegas.

Against Arizona, the 6-foot-11, 230-pound Aussie and preseason AP first-team All-America managed just 11 points on 4 of 9 shooting, had a career-high six turnovers and was outmuscled by true freshman Koa Peat on his way to 30 points.

Backup center Micah Handlogten finished 17 points and 13 rebounds for his second straight double-double. Thomas Haugh had 12 points and eight rebounds as the Gators had a 64-24 rebounding advantage and outscored the Ospreys 66-22 in the paint.

UF’s advantage inside was the key, but fans wanted the Gators to go even bigger under the basket.

With the game well in hand, fans began to chant for 7-foot-9 freshman Olivier Rioux. With UF leading 102-61 and 2:09, coach Todd Golden listened, making Rioux the tallest player to ever play in a college basketball game.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/06/florida-gators-mens-basketball-todd-golden-sec-north-florida-todd-golden-alex-condon-thomas-haugh-olivier-rioux/