Image Credit: UAA

Despite being heavily favored Saturday afternoon at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, finishing the nonconference portion of the 2024-25 season undefeated was no certainty for the No. 6 Florida Gators. However, after a blistering first half and dominant overall performance, Florida indeed prevailed in decisive fashion, 85-45 over the Stetson Hatters, for the team’s second straight win of 40+ points this season.

The Gators have now won 13 straight games for the first time since 2013-14, and head coach Todd Golden’s squad is off to their best start opening a campaign since 2005-06. Both of those teams ultimately advanced to the Final Four with the 2005-06 squad, of course, bringing Florida its first national championship.

UF will enter SEC play next weekend as one of four unbeaten Division I teams nationally, though it will be tested early and often during conference play. Let’s take a look at what went down Sunday afternoon in Gainesville, Florida.

It was over when … the Gators opened the second half with an 8-0 run to jump ahead by 27 points. This after Florida led by as many as 22 in the first half — hitting 6 of 14 attempts from 3-point range with three players in double figures — but was up 19 at the break. UF’s 40-point margin at the final buzzer was its biggest of the entire game. Stetson only led for 1 minute the entire contest.

Exceptional efforts: Redshirt senior guard Alijah Martin led the way in scoring with 18 points, though senior G Will Richard was even more efficient hitting 8 of 11 shots for 17 points. Senior point guard Walter Clayton Jr. played the most complete game, however, hitting 2 of 3 triples for 12 points with 7 assists and 3 rebounds. It was a relatively quiet game otherwise as the Gators ran through their opposition with ease.

Odds & ends: Florida improved to 55-14 all-time against Stetson … UF has won 15 straight games in the O’Dome … the Gators are one of four unbeaten teams in the nation and remains off to the best start for a team since 2005-06 … UF’s 13-game winning streak is the longest since 2013-14 … Florida improved to 43-9 under Golden when leading at halftime, 49-5 when leading with 5 minutes left, 48-6 when shooting the same or better than an opponent from the field, 36-6 when shooting better than 45% from the field, 42-8 when outshooting an opponent from 3-point range, 36-7 when winning the rebounding battle, 32-12 when attempting more free throws and 33-14 when winning the bench scoring battle

What it means: Not much at all, which is generally the case in nonconference games like this. The Gators took care of business and finished season’s opening stretch undefeated entering SEC play. Florida continues to get it done on both ends of the court, but it will now face an absolute murderer’s row of SEC opponents. As of last week’s AP Top 25, the Gators are set to face the top two teams, three of the top five and four of the top 10 — a combined total of six times — this season. UF also has two additional top 25 teams on its schedule.

What’s next? That odyssey begins next Saturday when Florida visits No. 10 Kentucky for an excruciating 11 a.m. ET tip off. The game will air live nationally on ESPN with SEC openers being featured throughout the day. The last and only other time over the last decade that UF started a game this early was Dec. 12, 2020.