Sports | Men's Basketball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Guard Kyle Lofton rises up for a shot against the Florida Atlantic Owls Monday, Nov. 14, 2022. Lofton lead the Gators in scoring against West Virginia Sunday night with 17 points.

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Castleton, Gators commit flurry of fouls and get blown out by Mountaineers

By Kyle Bumpers | Nov. 28, 2022

Florida men’s basketball struggled in the first half. The Gators constantly fouled the Mountaineers, couldn’t shoot from behind or inside the 3-point line and failed to rebound the ball. A 21-point scoring difference in the second half gave West Virginia a win, and Florida suffered its largest loss of the season.

Graduate student guard Kyle Lofton looks to pass against the FAU Owls Monday Nov. 14, 2022.

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Florida cruises past Oregon State in second game of Phil Knight Legacy

By Topher Adams | Nov. 25, 2022

Florida defeated Oregon State 81-68 in a game that wasn’t as close as the final score. The Gators opened the game with a dominant 22-4 run and never looked back, closing out the Beavers and cruising to a comfortable win.

Florida guard Trey Bonham loads up for a shot against Stony Brook Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. Bonham lead the Gators in scoring with 23 points against Xavier Thursday.

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Xavier feasts from deep, topples Gators in Phil Knight Legacy

By Joseph Henry | Nov. 24, 2022

Florida lost to Xavier 90-83 in Portland, Oregon, Thursday. The Musketeers hit 10 3-pointers on 50% shooting from behind the arc to beat the Gators.

Graduate transfer guard Kyle Lofton controls possession during Florida's loss to Florida Atlantic Monday, Nov. 14, 2022.

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Florida pulls back versus Seminoles, escapes Tallhassee on top

By Jackson Castellano | Nov. 19, 2022

Florida defeated Florida State Friday night. It's the first consecutive win over the ‘Noles for UF since the Gators won five straight meetings from 2009-2013. Florida star Colin Castleton finished with 25 points and nine rebounds in the contest.

Florida forward Colin Castleton shoots a 3-pointer against the Florida Atlantic Owls Monday, Nov. 14. Castleton scored 30 or more points for the second straight game in the loss to FAU.

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Owls bombard Gators from deep, give Golden first loss

By Joseph Henry | Nov. 14, 2022

The Gators dropped their first game of the season to FAU 76-74 inside the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The Owls overcame a 30-point and 12-rebound performance from Florida forward Colin Castleton — his first double-double of the season — by hitting 13 3-pointers on 24 attempts.

Florida forward Colin Castleton — pictured during the Gators' game against Stony Brook Monday, Nov. 7, 2022 — scored a career-high 33 points versus Kennesaw State Friday night.

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Castleton posts career game as Gators defeat Kennesaw State

By Jackson Castellano | Nov. 11, 2022

Florida defeated Kennesaw State 88-78 inside the Stephen C. O'Connell Center Friday night. The fifth-year star was the solution for all the Gators’ problems, putting up a career-high 33 points as UF dominated its competitor.

Sophomore forward Alex Fudge sets for a jump shot during Florida's win over Stony Brook Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. Fudge lead the Gators with 16 points in his UF debut.

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Gators use balanced attack to take season opener

By Joseph Henry | Nov. 7, 2022

The Gators defeated the Seawolves 81-45 in the long awaited introduction to Florida basketball post Mike White. UF ran its offense with efficiency and an emphasis on the 3-point shot. The Gators forced 18 Stony Brook turnovers, a representation of their tenacity on both ends of the floor.

Fifth-year senior Colin Castleton dunks against the Iona Gaels Wednesday, March 16, 2022.

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Three takeaways from Florida men’s basketball’s preseason scrimmage

By Jackson Castellano | Nov. 3, 2022

Although the orange and blue scrimmage was short and mostly for fan entertainment, Florida men's basketball showed a few things for fans to take away before the season tips off next Monday.

Guard Kowacie Reeves (left) and forward Colin Castleton (right) celebrate during Florida's win over Iona in the first round of the NIT March 16, 2022. Both players will be centerpieces of the 2022-2023 team under new head coach Todd Golden.

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New faces, new season: Gators basketball gears up for 2023

By Jackson Castellano | Oct. 4, 2022

Just seven months ago the Gators men's basketball team had no coach, no exciting prospects and no signs of success on the near horizon. However, inside the gym at Florida’s first preseason practices this week, things looked very different. It all starts with new head coach Todd Golden.

Official March Madness 2020 tournament basketballs are seen in a store room at the CHI Health Center Arena, in Omaha, Neb., Monday, March 16, 2020.

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Gators complete 2022-2023 roster with Aleks Szymczyk

By Brandon Hernandez | Aug. 23, 2022

Florida signed German forward Aleks Szymczyk to round out its 2022-2023 roster Tuesday.

Former Florida basketball player Keyontae Johnson during Florida's game against the Auburn Tigers Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. A woman reported Johnson sexually assaulted her Feb. 26. The State Attorney's Office will not prosecute Johnson.

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Sexual assault investigation into Keyontae Johnson halts

By Karina Wilson | July 6, 2022

The Alachua County State Attorney’s Office abandoned a sexual assault case against Keyontae Johnson Wednesday after a monthslong investigation into the former Florida basketball player.

Florida's 2021-22 men's basketball team, pictured during a Nov. 14 game against Florida State

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Florida transfers Kyle Lofton, Trey Bonham ready for new challenge

By Jackson Castellano | June 15, 2022

Tuesday, Florida introduced Bonham and Lofton to the media, which provided a look at UF’s trajectory this season.

Boston Celtics center Al Horford looks to pass against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson during the second quarter of Game 4 of the NBA Finals, June 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

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Horford, Chiozza close in on adding to UF’s basketball legacy

By Brandon Hernandez | June 13, 2022

For former Florida players like Horford and Golden State guard Chris Chiozza, the Finals are a common stomping ground.

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Head coach Todd Golden hires former Gator point guard and two-time national champion Taurean Green

By Brandon Hernandez | May 23, 2022

Former Florida point guard and two-time national champion Taurean Green will make his way back to Gainesville this year, returning to the Gators men’s basketball program as the director of player development.

Gators forward Keyontae Johnson at Florida's game against FSU in 2019. Johnson is entering the transfer portal, per multiple reports.

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Keyontae Johnson enters his name into the Transfer Portal

By Curtis Michaud | May 1, 2022

Florida Gators forward Keyontae Johnson officially entered the transfer portal Sunday.

Colin Castleton has elected to use his fifth year of eligibility to play one more season in Gainesville.

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Castleton opts to stay in Gainesville for final season

By Joseph Henry | Apr. 11, 2022

He’s not done just yet. Florida forward Colin Castleton will wear the orange and blue for one more season.

New Florida basketball head coach Todd Golden held an introductory press conference Wednesday.

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Florida hires Todd Golden as next head coach

By Jackson Castellano | Apr. 9, 2022

The team announced Friday that Todd Golden, 36, will be taking the reins of Florida men’s basketball. He is the 20th head coach in program history.

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Meet Florida basketball’s heir Todd Golden

By Joseph Henry | Apr. 4, 2022

As he enters the spotlight as Florida basketballu2019s new head coach, Todd Golden is grateful to lead a program he's always been fond of.

Florida forward Colin Castleton in the huddle against Iona March 16. The senior likely played his final game for the Gators Sunday versus Xavier.

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Florida finishes season with underwhelming loss to Xavier

By Jackson Castellano | Mar. 20, 2022

Florida’s season came to an end Sunday in a 72-56 loss to Xavier. “This is a low, they need to learn from it and it’ll make them better,” interim head coach Al Pinkins said.

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Gritty Gators pass by Gaels to open NIT

By Joseph Henry | Mar. 17, 2022

“That one was for him. Everything out there was for him,” said Colin Castleton following Florida’s first win under its new interim coach Al Pinkins. The Gators advanced to round two of the NIT Wednesday night.