Florida's four returning frontcourt players entered the 2025-26 season with the expectation of shouldering a larger responsibility, and so far, the Gators' big men have had historic success.
Florida has had two players in its frontcourt record a double-double in four straight games. Before this stretch, the Gators had not had back-to-back games with multiple players recording a double-double since the beginning of the box score era in 1990. Additionally, Florida's frontcourt has produced all nine of its double-doubles this season.
Most recently, juniors Rueben Chinyelu and Alex Condon had double-doubles in Florida's 80-45 victory over Merrimack. Chinyelu had his third consecutive double-double, with 21 rebounds — a program record during the shot clock era — and 14 points. Condon logged 20 points and 11 rebounds.
“The expectation is for them to set it every night,” said head coach Todd Golden. “They are two of our most impactful players, and we need them to play well for us to be the best we can be.”
Powered by Condon and Chinyelu, Florida had a 53-25 advantage on the glass against the Warriors on Friday, marking the third time this season the Gators had a 20-plus rebounding advantage. Additionally, the defending national champions finished with a 22-4 advantage in second-chance points and outscored the Warriors 36-22 in points in the paint.
Florida's most dominant game on the glass was against North Florida, where it finished with a 64-24 advantage. The Gators even finished the night with more offensive rebounds (29) than the Ospreys had total rebounds.
"It's what we need to be if we want to be really good," Golden said after the game. "When we play teams that don't have the depth and the size, the physicality on the front line, but we do, we have to impose our will."
Condon and Micah Handlogten finished the contest with a double-double. Handlogten produced 17 points and 13 rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench.
Condon had his best performance of the season that night with 25 points and 10 rebounds to go along with three blocks and two steals. He also shot 8 for 12 from the field and 9 for 10 from the line.
In Florida's ensuing game against Florida State, efforts on the glass from Chinyelu and the rest of the frontcourt proved vital in holding on to a 78-76 win and preventing a home upset by the Seminoles. The junior center had seven offensive rebounds, one of which came off a Haugh missed free throw and led to a Boogie Fland 3-pointer, cutting the Gators’ deficit to one with 13:19 left in the game.
"We just go out there and make sure that we execute, get the board," Chinyelu said after the game against FSU. "Every night's going to be different but just being able to embrace that path and know that that's what we're supposed to do."
The sole time Florida lost the rebounding battle was in its season opener against Arizona in Las Vegas. The Gators fell to a 21-12 disadvantage on the glass at the break, leaving Florida down 50-46 after 20 minutes.
While UF did win the rebound battle in the second half, foul trouble haunted the frontcourt, with Condon and Chinyelu fouling out of the contest. As a result, Arizona's Koa Peat took advantage driving to the basket, leading all scorers with 30 points as Arizona prevailed 93-87.
"We need to be the best front court in the nation this year," Thomas Haugh said after the loss. "We can't let somebody like that come out here and score 30 points on us."
The Gator frontcourt proved itself defensively against Miami and ‘Canes forward Malik Reneau. The senior transfer from Indiana was averaging 21.3 points on 64% shooting prior to the game, but Florida's frontcourt allowed just 21 points on just 35% shooting from the field.
Condon and Chinyelu also had double-doubles that game, despite both fouling out. The two had 10 rebounds apiece, with Condon dropping 19 points and Chinyelu recording 16.
Through five games, Florida's frontcourt has cemented itself as one of the best in the nation. The Gators are first among all NCAA Division I teams in rebound margin, rebounds per game and offensive rebounds per game.
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.
