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The Florida Gators punched their ticket to the Elite Eight after an impressive 87-71 win over the Maryland Terrapins in the Sweet 16 on Thursday night.
Florida came out strong, building an early lead, but faced a brief setback when All-Conference forward Alex Condon left the game with an ankle injury. Despite his absence, the Gators maintained control throughout the second half, showcasing the depth that has been a key strength all season.
Balanced Scoring Leads the Way
Florida’s guard trio of Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, and Will Richard provided steady scoring, finishing with 13, 14, and 15 points, respectively. Meanwhile, forwards Rueben Chinyelu and Thomas Haugh dominated the boards and also reached double figures in scoring. Off the bench, Denzel Aberdeen made an impact, shooting 5-of-7 for 12 points in 19 minutes.
Turnovers and Bench Scoring Prove Crucial
Turnovers were a concern early, as Florida committed 11 in the first half, but they cleaned up their play after the break, allowing them to extend their lead and cruise to a 16-point win. The Gators’ bench also played a pivotal role, outscoring Maryland’s reserves 29-3.
Condon’s Injury Scare
During an early 11-0 Florida run, Condon went down, favoring his right ankle the same one he had injured earlier in the season. After receiving X-rays and testing his mobility at halftime, he returned to action, showing little sign of limitation. However, head coach Todd Golden managed his minutes carefully, using him primarily when the game was already in hand. Condon finished with six points, four rebounds, and two assists. His status will be closely monitored ahead of Saturday’s Elite Eight matchup.
Big Men Step Up in Condon’s Absence
With Condon sidelined for much of the game, Chinyelu and Haugh stepped up. Chinyelu was on track for a double-double before fouling out, while Haugh contributed nine rebounds and was aggressive at the free-throw line, sinking 6-of-8 attempts. Together, they nearly outrebounded Maryland’s entire team, 20-17.
Will Richard’s Breakout Game
Florida’s guards have taken turns delivering big performances throughout the tournament, and on Thursday, it was Will Richard’s night to shine. He shot an efficient 6-of-9 from the field, including three makes from beyond the arc, finishing with 15 points. Despite three turnovers, he added three assists and four rebounds, proving to be a key factor in the win.
With the Gators now just one win away from the Final Four, all eyes will be on Condon’s health and whether Florida can maintain its momentum heading into the Elite Eight.
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