In a masterful display of team basketball that highlighted their championship aspirations, the #4 Florida Gators delivered a statement victory over #5 Alabama, winning 104-82 in the SEC Tournament semifinals. The win, which featured an explosive offensive showcase and stifling defensive effort, positions Florida as a serious contender for both the SEC Championship and a potential NCAA Tournament top seed.
Walter Clayton Jr. continued his remarkable season with a 22-point performance, while Rueben Chinyelu recorded an impressive double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The balanced scoring attack saw six Gators reach double figures, with Will Richard and Alijah Martin each contributing 16 points, while Thomas Haugh and Denzel Aberdeen added 11 points apiece off the bench.
Head coach Todd Golden praised his team’s depth and resilience: “I simply think our depth wore out in the second half. We were able to get into their bench a little bit. Our bench stepped up, allowed us to get some rest for our starters. We kept coming in waves in the second half. That’s one of the best teams in America we played today.”
The game’s turning point came early in the second half when Florida responded to Alabama taking a brief 48-47 lead with a decisive 17-2 run. “For us it was playing with poise, playing our game,” Will Richard explained. “We got in transition. It really started with our defense. Once we got stops, it opened up transition. Once we did that, we knew we could get on a little run.”
The victory carries historical significance for the program. It marks Florida’s seventh top-25 win of the season, tied for second-most in program history, and their 29th win overall matches the fourth-most in program history. The Gators have now won five straight games and 11 of their last 12, demonstrating perfect timing in their late-season surge.
The win’s implications for Florida’s NCAA Tournament seeding cannot be understated. “I think we secured a 1 seed today,” Golden stated confidently. “We’re second on KenPom right now. Beat ‘Bama twice, beat Auburn at Auburn. I don’t really think it’s a debate regardless of the result tomorrow. We have four losses, 29-4 right now. I think we have the best collection of high-level wins in college basketball across the board.”
The team’s defensive performance was particularly impressive, especially early in the game. “I would say we play collectively as a team, playing defense, doing what we had to do,” Chinyelu noted. “Just making sure all communication was on points. I think that’s what give us the edge.”
Adding to the day’s achievements, both Clayton (1,190) and Richard (1,189) passed Florida assistant coach and two-time national champion point guard Taurean Green (1,174) on the Gators’ career scoring list. The game also marked Florida’s fourth all-time matchup between AP top-five teams, with the Gators now holding a 3-1 record in such contests.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s SEC Championship game against #8 Tennessee, Golden acknowledged the unique challenge ahead: “It’s going to be interesting because both games were anomalies. We played fantastic and won by 30 against them at home. We go there, they beat us way worse than anybody else has been able to all year. I think tomorrow will be a battle of wills a little bit. We’re going to get out in transition, open up the game a little bit. We know Tennessee likes to operate in the halfcourt, be physical defensively. Whoever is able to dictate the terms and the tempo I think has the best chance to win tomorrow.”
The championship game represents an opportunity for Florida to claim their fifth SEC Tournament title, adding to their previous championships from 2005, ’06, ’07, and ’14. More importantly, it offers a chance to further cement their case as one of college basketball’s elite teams heading into March Madness.
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