Florida Dominates Alabama With Relentless Paint Attack

Gainesville was rocking Sunday afternoon as the No. 19 Florida Gators delivered a thunderous statement, dismantling No. 23 Alabama 100-77 in a sold-out Southeastern Conference showdown at Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center. The Gators, now 16-6 overall and 7-2 in SEC play, showcased a relentless, high-octane performance that left the Crimson Tide (14-7, 4-4 SEC) reeling and the home crowd in a state of euphoria.

From the opening tip, Florida set the tone with suffocating defense and an aggressive attack inside. The Gators shot 51% from the field and absolutely dominated the paint, racking up an eye-popping 72 points inside compared to just 26 for Alabama. It was a masterclass in physicality and execution, a performance that had the O'Dome crowd on its feet for much of the contest.

Alex Condon led the charge for Florida, pouring in a game- and season-high 25 points on 11-for-15 shooting. He added seven rebounds and six assists, delivering one of his most complete performances of the year. Not far behind, Thomas Haugh chipped in 22 points, many coming at crucial moments as the Gators broke the game wide open. Rueben Chinyelu, meanwhile, was a force on both ends, notching his SEC-best 13th double-double with 14 points and a staggering 17 rebounds. His defensive presence was felt throughout, including a key sequence late in the first half when he forced a shot-clock violation that energized the arena.

Boogie Fland was everywhere, flirting with a triple-double as he tallied 15 points, eight assists, and tied the Florida single-game record for steals with eight. His plus-minus of 32 led all players, reflecting his impact on both ends. Urban Klavzar provided a spark off the bench, contributing 11 points and four rebounds in a solid supporting role.

Florida’s dominance wasn’t just about scoring. They outrebounded Alabama 44-33, led the assist battle 24-16, and—perhaps most remarkably—committed only two turnovers the entire game. Alabama, in stark contrast, coughed up the ball 18 times, and the Gators made them pay, converting those miscues into 25 points. Florida also owned the fastbreak, finishing with a 26-3 advantage in transition points. According to Alabama coach Nate Oats, "Not sure I’ve ever been associated with a game like that. It’s disappointing. It’s also a credit to Florida’s game plan. They went to switching, we didn’t handle it well. The physicality on the switches caused our guards some major problems. We did a terrible job adjusting to it."

This was a contest loaded with storylines, not least of which was the much-discussed return of Alabama center Charles Bediako. The 7-footer, granted eligibility by court order, managed just six points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes before fouling out with 2:10 remaining. Throughout the game, Florida fans serenaded him with chants of "G League dropout," a nod to his three seasons away from college basketball. Bediako’s eligibility remains in limbo, with a hearing set for February 6 to determine his future status.

Alabama’s offense, typically one of the most potent in the nation, was stifled by Florida’s relentless defense. The Crimson Tide made 14 three-pointers and shot 44% overall, but those numbers were deceptive—Alabama simply could not generate enough easy looks. By halftime, Florida led 46-36, having already forced nine turnovers and scoring 12 points off those mistakes. The Gators’ 32-12 edge in paint points at the break told the story of their interior dominance.

The game’s turning point came late in the first half. With Florida clinging to a 32-30 lead inside the five-minute mark, Chinyelu sparked a nine-point run. Haugh added a transition layup, backup guard Isaiah Brown scored on a post-up, and Haugh capped the surge with a three-pointer. Suddenly, the Gators were up 41-30, and Alabama was left searching for answers. The momentum carried into the second half, as Florida scored the first ten points after the break, ballooning the lead to 22. Alabama never got closer than 16 the rest of the way.

While the Gators weren’t lights-out from beyond the arc—making just three triples all game—they didn’t need to be. As Oats noted, "You don’t have to take many threes when you’re making dunks and layups off turnovers." Florida shot a blistering 74% on two-point field goals, slicing through Alabama’s defense with ease.

Alabama’s leading scorers were Aden Holloway (19 points, 7-for-12 shooting, 3-for-7 from deep), Labaron Philon (14 points, 5-for-13, 4-for-7 from three), and Aiden Sherrell (13 points, 5-for-7). But their efforts were overshadowed by the Gators’ balanced and relentless attack. The Crimson Tide’s inability to take care of the basketball and defend the paint proved fatal to their hopes for a road upset.

Florida coach Todd Golden’s confidence in his team was well documented. Nearly two weeks before the matchup, Golden predicted on his radio show that the Gators would beat Alabama, regardless of Bediako’s return. After the game, his players delivered on that promise in emphatic fashion. The Gators’ performance silenced any lingering doubts about their potential, with Chinyelu emerging as one of the nation’s premier big men, Fland solidifying his status as a top SEC guard, and Condon continuing his stellar play.

Late in the game, with victory assured, Golden finally emptied the bench, allowing 7-foot-9 walk-on center Olivier Rioux to score points 99 and 100, sending the crowd into a final frenzy. The moment symbolized a night where everything seemed to go right for Florida.

Looking ahead, the Gators enjoy a mid-week bye before a pivotal SEC clash at Texas A&M on Saturday, February 7. The Aggies, sitting just ahead of Florida in the conference standings, will present another stern test. But after Sunday’s resounding win, there’s no question the Gators have reasserted themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the SEC—and perhaps beyond.

As the NCAA tournament looms, Florida’s bid to repeat as national champions appears back on track. For now, the Gators and their fans can savor a signature victory, one that sent a clear message to the rest of college basketball: Florida is for real, and they’re not done yet.