Florida Gators Star Forward Thomas Haugh Sidelined with Ankle Injury

GAINESVILLE, FL – Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh will miss tonight’s game against Mississippi State due to an ankle injury, marking the first game he’s been absent from in his three-year college career. The injury occurred during a game against Texas a week prior, but Haugh had continued to play despite the discomfort.

Haugh’s Injury and Impact

According to the SEC availability report, Haugh was downgraded from probable to out for the Tuesday night contest. On3 Sports reports that this is the first game Haugh has missed in 105 career contests, having started 36 of them. He has started all 29 of the team’s games this season.

Haugh is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 17.1 points per game, along with 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks. The Gainesville Sun noted that a team spokesperson indicated the decision to sit Haugh was “precautionary.”

Gators Still Clinched SEC Crown

Despite Haugh’s absence, the Gators have already secured at least a share of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) crown. A win against Mississippi State, or in their regular-season finale against Kentucky, will offer Florida the outright SEC regular season title.

Mississippi State Also Facing Absence

Florida will not be the only team playing with a key player missing. Mississippi State’s Shawn Jones, a senior guard averaging 5.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per contest, will also be absent from Tuesday’s game.

Gators Dominate Mississippi State 108-74 Without Haugh

Despite Haugh being sidelined, the Florida Gators defeated Mississippi State 108-74 on Tuesday, clinching the SEC regular-season title outright. Sports Illustrated reported that this was the first game Florida has played without Haugh since March 15, 2022.

Alex Condon led the Gators with a season-high 26 points and seven rebounds, even as Xaivian Lee surpassed the 1,500-point mark in his career, finishing with 19 points.