No. 1 Florida opens season with convincing victory vs. Miami: Gators show why they deserve No. 1 ranking

TAMPA, Fla. -- No. 1 Florida opened the 2026-27 college basketball season with a statement Monday, defeating No. 14 Miami 77-67 behind a huge night from national player of the year candidate Thomas Haugh . The star forward who bypassed the NBA Draft to return for his senior season with the Gators finished with a team-high 19 points and 10 rebounds. Haugh matched the best 3-point shooting night of his college career against Miami by draining four of his eight shots from beyond the arc.