Florida Basketball 2025-26: Todd Golden's Rebuild and What's Next
Florida basketball used to be a powerhouse. Two national championships under Billy Donovan, consistent tournament appearances, and a program that recruited at an elite level. Then Donovan left, and the program fell apart. Todd Golden is trying to rebuild it, and this season is a test of whether he can actually pull it off.
The Todd Golden era
Todd Golden came to Florida from San Francisco, where he built a mid-major program into a tournament team. His system is modern — lots of ball movement, three-point shooting, and pace. It's the opposite of the slow, grind-it-out style that Florida played under Mike White.
Golden's first two seasons were rough. The roster was a mess, the talent wasn't there, and the SEC is brutal. But this year, things are starting to click. Florida is 18-9, they're in the tournament conversation, and they're playing with an identity.
The question is: is this sustainable, or is it just a good year?
The roster: who's leading the way
Florida's best player is Walter Clayton Jr., a 6'3" guard who transferred in from Iona. He's averaging 18 points and 4 assists, and he's the guy who takes over in close games. He's not a superstar, but he's a solid lead guard who can score and facilitate.
The frontcourt is led by Micah Handlogten, a 7'1" center who's a defensive anchor. He's averaging 2.5 blocks per game and changing shots at the rim. Offensively, he's limited, but he doesn't need to score — his job is to protect the paint and set screens.
The supporting cast is a mix of transfers and freshmen. Riley Kugel is a sophomore wing who's been inconsistent but has flashes of being really good. Tyrese Samuel is a transfer forward who provides energy and rebounding. It's not a star-studded roster, but it's balanced.
The system: pace and space
Golden's offense is built around spacing and ball movement. Florida shoots a lot of threes — they're attempting 28 per game, which is in the top 50 nationally. When they're hot, they're dangerous. When they're cold, they struggle to score.
Defensively, they're solid but not elite. They play a switching scheme that relies on length and athleticism. Handlogten is the key — when he's on the floor, the defense is much better. When he's off, they get exposed inside.
The pace is fast. Florida wants to push the ball in transition and get easy buckets before the defense is set. That style works in the SEC, where a lot of teams play slower and more physical.
The SEC is a gauntlet
The SEC is the best conference in college basketball this year. Tennessee, Auburn, Alabama, Kentucky, and Arkansas are all ranked. Florida has to play all of them, and the schedule is brutal.
Florida's best wins are against Tennessee (at home) and Kentucky (on the road). Those are resume-building wins that put them in the tournament conversation. But they've also lost to teams they shouldn't have — like Vanderbilt and Missouri — which hurts their seeding.
The SEC tournament is going to be a bloodbath, and Florida needs to make a run to lock up a good seed. If they lose early, they could be on the bubble.
Can they make the tournament?
Yes. Florida is in, barring a complete collapse. They have enough quality wins, and their metrics (NET, KenPom) are solid. The question is whether they'll be a 7-seed or a 10-seed, and that matters a lot.
A 7-seed means they avoid the play-in games and get a winnable first-round matchup. A 10-seed means they're playing a 7-seed that's probably better than them, and they're likely out in the first round.
Florida needs to finish strong — win their last three regular-season games and win at least one game in the SEC tournament. Do that, and they're safely in.
The bigger picture
This season is about more than just making the tournament. It's about proving that Todd Golden can build a program. Florida has the resources, the facilities, and the recruiting base to be a top-10 program. But they haven't been relevant in years.
If Golden can get this team to the tournament and win a game or two, it's a huge step forward. It shows recruits that Florida is back, and it gives the program momentum going into next season.
But if they flame out in the first round, the questions will start again. Is Golden the right guy? Can Florida ever get back to where they were under Donovan?
This season is the answer to those questions. And so far, the answer is looking pretty good.