The Gators’ non-conference schedule, which included matchups against three of the top six ranked schools in the nation, is coming to an end.
On Monday, No. 22 Florida (8-4) hosts Dartmouth (5-6) to close out non-conference play at 6 p.m. at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The Gators look to enter SEC play on a four-game win streak with a win in their first meeting against the Big Green.
“We're getting more comfortable,” head coach Todd Golden said. “Looking forward to coming back playing Dartmouth and then getting an SEC play and see how we look against some better competition.”
Here are four keys for Florida to clinch its 19th consecutive non-conference win at the O’Dome.
Dominate down below
Once again, the Gators have a substantial size advantage against a non-major conference opponent.
The Big Green’s tallest players in its rotation are 6-foot-8 Brandon Mitchell-Day and Jackson Munro.
Florida’s four returning frontcourt pieces, Thomas Haugh (6-foot-9), Alex Condon (6-foot-11), Rueben Chinyelu (6-foot-10) and Micah Handlogten (7-foot-1), all have the height advantage on their defenders. As a result, Florida’s frontcourt, which ranks No. 1 in rebound margin (plus-15), should be able to impose its will on Monday.
At the forefront of this success is Chinyelu. The junior center ranks No. 9 nationally in rebounds per game (10.8). Against Merrimack on Nov. 21, his 21 rebounds were the most by a Gator in the shot clock era. He is on track to be the first player in Florida history to finish a season averaging double-digit rebounds per game.
“He deserves a lion's share of the credit,” Golden said. “Rueben's a very special human being, dude. The way he attacks everything he does, he's really bright, mature and very prideful.”
Condon has also come off recent success. His 3.8 assists per game is the most nationally among players 6-foot-11 or taller. The preseason AP All-American is also averaging 14.1 points and 8.9 rebounds.
Last time out, the Aussie dominated Colgate with a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double. He also logged a team-high five assists, two steals and two blocks.
The Big Green rank No. 117 in rebounding margin (4), so look for the Gators to take advantage of their size to dominate on the board and in the paint.
Defend the perimeter
Because the Big Green lack size, most of their offense comes from outside the perimeter. Dartmouth comes into Monday’s contest ranked No. 20 in 3-pointers made per game (11), No. 37 in shots attempted from beyond the arc per game (29) and No. 43 in 3-point percentage (37.7%).
At the forefront of the Big Green's success from beyond the arc is sophomore guard Kareem Thomas.
He leads the team in points per game (19.7) and is shooting 59% from beyond the arc through Dartmouth's first 11 games. Thomas is selective with his 3-point shooting, logging a make from beyond the arc in five straight appearances, while averaging four attempts per game during this span.
Senior forward Jayden Williams is also shooting well from beyond the arc, logging a 40% 3-point percentage. Against Boston University on Dec. 13, the Windermere, Florida, native went 4-for-8 from beyond the arc en route to an 18-point outing. He then logged 18 more points against Holy Cross on Dec. 16, on 3-of-5 shooting from three.
Overall, the Big Green have six of its nine rotation players shooting 33% from distance or better.
Dartmouth presents a similar challenge to Florida that George Washington did in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 13. The Revolutionaries came into the game No. 5 in 3-point percentage (41%); however, the Gators held their opponents to 25% from beyond the arc in the first half. GW did come back in the second half, shooting 43% from distance, but it wasn't enough to get back into the contest.
Look for Florida guards Boogie Fland, Xaivian Lee, and Urban Klavzar to stay out on the perimeter and prevent Dartmouth from having success there.
Be active on defense
Dartmouth has struggled to take care of the basketball so far this season, averaging 14.7 turnovers per game.
At the forefront of the turnover issues are the Big Green’s three top scorers in Thomas (3), Williams (2.4) and Mitchell-Day (3.1).
Last time out against Sacred Heart on Dec. 19, Dartmouth lost the turnover battle 21-9 and gave up 19 points off turnovers. As a result, they fell short 85-63 on the road.
Florida’s guards, specifically Lee and Fland, have done a good job holding their own defensively this season.
The two lead the team in steals per game with Fland’s 1.7 and Lee’s 1.0. Over the last four contests, Lee has averaged 1.8 steals a game.
“A couple weeks back we played Duke, and I was thinking, ‘I’m the most confident defender I’ve ever been in my entire life right now,’” Lee said. “I just try to dig in, prove that I can play both sides of the ball when my shot’s not falling. I’ve got to control what I can, so I’ve been trying to guard a little better.”
In Florida’s last game against Colgate, Lee and Fland had two steals each, bolstering Florida to a 13-9 advantage in the turnover battle.
Lee continuing upward trend
The senior transfer from Princeton has had much success against Ivy League opponent Dartmouth.
In his six appearances against the Big Green, Lee has started four games, averaging 21.8 points per game in these starts.
The Toronto native had a career-high 33 points against Dartmouth on Jan. 17 en route to Princeton’s 81-80 road victory. Lee finished the game 12-of-19 shooting from the field, including 3 of 5 from beyond the arc.
Recently, Lee has overcome his early-season struggles to get into a rhythm offensively.
The senior guard led Florida in scoring in five of the last six games, averaging 17.3 points per game and 34% shooting from beyond the arc during this span. Against Colgate, Lee logged 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting despite hitting just one 3-pointer in 29 minutes.
“Lee’s playing really well and started shooting the ball well,” Golden said. “That's giving us a big lift.”
Expect Lee to lead the Gators in scoring, especially against a school in Dartmouth that he’s had success against in his career.
Contact Jeffrey Serber at Jserber@alligator.org. Follow him on X @JeffreySerber.
Jeffrey is the Fall 2025 enterprise and men's basketball beat reporter and a second-year journalism sports & media major. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with friends and family, and rooting for the Miami sports teams.
