UConn basketball defeated Florida in the Jimmy V Classic.
What a day at Madison Square Garden for UConn basketball. UConn and Florida fought for 40 minutes in a highly physical game in what was the final game of the day in the Jimmy V Classic. UConn entered this game 1-4 all-time in the Jimmy V Classic, but after the win, they are currently on a two-game winning streak after last beating North Carolina in 2023.
This game meant a little bit more than a normal December non-conference matchup for UConn basketball. This game was about revenge for last season’s loss at the hands of the eventual National Champion Florida Gators in the NCAA Tournament.
This rendition of UConn basketball was able to close the deal towards the end of the game against a tough Florida team, something that did not happen last season. Obviously, one huge difference is that this Florida team does not have Walter Clayton Jr. making clutch shots down the stretch, which he did all NCAA Tournament last March.
UConn started the first half on fire from the field, shooting 59.3% from the floor, and took a 39-32 lead into halftime. Florida bounced back like expected in the second half and took the lead with just under 12 minutes remaining in the game. UConn was able to claw back and take the lead for good with just under eight minutes remaining.
The end of the game was a bit chaotic, but that’s what makes college basketball great. Florida was extending the game by intentionally fouling UConn, sending them to the line 10 times in the final minute of the game. But with 9.4 seconds left on the clock and holding a three point lead, UConn basketball was unable to break the press and turned the ball over out of bounds back to Florida.
However, Florida was then forced into a five-second violation on the ensuing inbounds play, giving the ball right back to UConn. Solo Ball proceeded to hit the dagger free throw to give UConn basketball a 77-73 victory over Florida.
STORRS SOUTH BABY 🔥 pic.twitter.com/A7TmejK3ZC
— UConn Men’s Basketball (@UConnMBB) December 10, 2025
What this means for UConn basketball
UConn basketball has now cemented itself as having one of the best non-conference resumes. They have wins on a neutral floor over Florida, Illinois, and BYU, as well as a road victory at Kansas.
These are four wins over teams in the top 17 in KenPom and will give UConn basketball a great shot at a top seed come NCAA Tournament time. And their one narrow loss was to the now number one team in the country, Arizona, in which UConn was without two of their best players.
What was really exciting was the defense for UConn basketball. UConn was able to win the turnover margin by 3 and capitalized by outscoring Florida 17-8 off turnovers.
Rebounding is, and will continue to be, the biggest concern for this team, as Florida won the rebounding battle by 12. The one silver lining was that even though Florida was able to grab 16 offensive rebounds, UConn only allowed 6 second-chance points to Florida.
When asked postgame about this, Dan Hurley echoed similar sentiments.
“I think, when it’s all said and done, we’re going to have a top 5, top 10 defense, top 5, top 10 offense. I think right now my biggest concern is probably rebounding,” said Hurley.
What this means for Florida basketball
This game was a letdown for Florida as they let another high-quality win slip away at the end of the game, after having already lost heartbreakers to Duke and Arizona earlier in the season.
Even though their record now sits at 5-4, their front-court may very well be the best in the country and will continue to keep them in games. Alex Condon, Rueben Chinyelu, and Thomas Haugh are all nightmare matchups for most teams due to their size.
UConn struggled to contain them throughout the game as these three combined to score 40 out of the 73 points for Florida. They were also the reason Florida was able to out-rebound UConn by 12. This will continue to be the case against most of the teams they will play this season.
What Florida basketball fans should be excited about is Xaivian Lee having a breakout game for the Gators. The transfer guard for Florida entered the game averaging just over eight points a game, which is half of what he was averaging at Princeton last season.
Against UConn, he played his most well-rounded game, scoring 19 points and looking very explosive off the dribble. His passing was also very impressive as he connected for several lob dunks with the front-court players for Florida.
If this kind of production continues for Lee, then Florida will be a scary team in March.
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