Florida Dominates South Carolina, Eyes SEC Title Run
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 12 University of Florida Gators (19-6, 10-2 SEC) showcased their dominance over the South Carolina Gamecocks (11-14, 2-10 SEC) with a decisive victory, continuing their strong push towards an SEC championship. The Gators are seeking their first SEC title since 2017.
Recent Matchup & Series History
Florida recently defeated South Carolina 41-39 on February 14, 2023, in Columbia, South Carolina. This win extends Florida’s lead in the all-time series to 51-29. The Gators previously routed the Gamecocks 95-47 on January 28, 2024, marking the largest margin of victory (47 points) in the program’s SEC history. Forward Thomas Haugh led the way with 18 points, even as center Rueben Chinyelu contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Game Details
Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM (ET)
Location: Exactech Arena/O’Connell Center, Gainesville, Fla.
TV: SEC Network (John Schriffen and Mark Wise)
Radio: Gator Sports Network from LEARFIELD (Sean Kelley, Brian Hogan, and Steve Egan)
Projected Starting Lineups
Florida Gators
| Player | Position | Height / Weight | Class | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Condon | F | 6-11 / 230 | Junior | 13.3 pts / 8.0 reb |
| Rueben Chinyelu | C | 6-10 / 255 | Junior | 11.8 pts / 11.7 reb |
| Thomas Haugh | F | 6-9 / 215 | Junior | 17.5 pts / 6.3 reb |
| Xaivian Lee | G | 6-4 / 185 | Senior | 11.4 pts / 3.8 reb |
| Boogie Fland | G | 6-3 / 185 | Sophomore | 11.3 pts / 2.5 reb / 3.7 ast |
South Carolina Gamecocks
| Player | Position | Height / Weight | Class | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elijah Strong | F | 6-8 / 250 | Junior | 10.5 pts / 2.6 reb |
| Mike Sharavjamts | G | 6-9 / 195 | Senior | 10.9 pts / 5.5 reb |
| Myles Stute | G | 6-7 / 221 | Graduate | 6.6 pts / 4.3 reb |
| Kobe Knox | G | 6-5 / 200 | R-Senior | 10.5 pts / 3.7 reb |
| Meechie Johnson | G | 6-2 / 192 | Senior | 16.7 pts / 3.2 reb |
Tale of the Tape
| Florida | South Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Scoring | 86.5 | 76.4 |
| Field-goal percentage | .470 | .441 |
| 3-point percentage | .295 | .306 |
| Scoring defense | 71.4 | 75.9 |
| Field-goal percentage defense | .405 | .451 |
| 3-point percentage defense | .329 | .320 |
| KenPom.com overall ranking | 5th | 97th |
Key Players
Florida is led by forward Thomas Haugh (17.5 pts, 6.3 reb) and center Rueben Chinyelu (11.8 pts, 11.7 reb). For South Carolina, guard Meechie Johnson averages 16.7 points per game.
Looking Ahead
With a two-game lead in the SEC standings, the Gators are well-positioned for a deep tournament run. Continued success will depend on maintaining their strong offensive and defensive efficiency and capitalizing on their favorable schedule.