On Thursday, November 5, 2026, the No. 1 Florida Gators opened their 2026‑27 season with an 88‑57 victory over the Jacksonville Dolphins at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, a result that gives Jacksonville fans a clear picture of the challenge ahead as the Dolphins seek to rebound from a 1‑1 start.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, power forward Alex Condon recorded 12 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and three blocked shots. His line made him the first SEC player since Ben Simmons in December 2015 to post a double‑double with at least seven assists and three blocks in a game. Condon fell just two assists short of a triple‑double, a feat previously achieved by only three Gators—Corey Brewer, Nick Calathes and Chris Chiozza.
The Sentinel also noted that Condon’s performance placed him in elite company, and coach Todd Golden praised his all‑around play, saying, “He was zipping the ball around the floor. He had some really, really fantastic assists, and was finishing — making his free throws. He’s playing the right way.”
Florida’s scoring was led by senior center Rueben Chinyelu, who posted a career‑high 21 points on 7‑of‑9 shooting from the field and the free‑throw line, while adding seven rebounds. Thomas Haugh contributed 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists, a steal and only one turnover. Guard Denzel Aberdeen and sixth man Urban Klavzar each added 12 points, with Aberdeen hitting four three‑pointers and Klavzar three. The Gators shot 11‑of‑25 from beyond the arc, a marked improvement over last season’s 30.1% three‑point percentage, according to Golden.
Jacksonville, coached by former Florida assistant Jordan Mincy, entered the game as a 30.5‑point underdog with a 1‑1 record after a 105‑61 win over Trinity College. The Dolphins kept the game close early, tying it at 8‑8 and later cutting a 22‑12 Gators lead to five points on two occasions, but could not sustain the momentum. Condon reflected, “I don’t think we were playing up to our standard. That was a big momentum swing in the game. We kind of just… you know… blew it open a bit.”
The Big Lead provided the game’s preview, noting the matchup would stream on SEC Network+ and ESPN Unlimited at 8:00 PM ET. The outlet highlighted Florida’s recent success, including a SEC championship last season and a four‑game winning streak against Jacksonville, the most recent being an 81‑60 victory in November 2024. Jacksonville’s opening win over Trinity College set high expectations for the Dolphins, but the Gators’ depth and experience were evident.
Looking ahead, the Gators travel to Tallahassee on Tuesday for their next game against Florida State, seeking a sixth straight win in the series. Jacksonville will aim to regroup and improve its performance in upcoming conference play.
Sources: orlandosentinel.com, thebiglead.com
