The tension inside Madison Square Garden was thick enough to cut with a dull knife. You could feel it. No, literally—the humidity of a sold-out New York crowd in December hits different when two of the last three national champions are trading haymakers. If you’re looking for a casual mid-season game, UF vs UConn basketball usually isn't the place to find it. These two programs don't just play; they collide.
Last December’s Jimmy V Classic was the perfect example of why this matchup has become appointment viewing. People kept talking about "revenge." Why? Because Florida had just bounced the back-to-back champ Huskies from the NCAA Tournament earlier in 2025. Dan Hurley doesn't forget things like that. Neither does a UConn fan base that treats MSG like their second home—or "Storrs South," as they love to call it.
The Night the Garden Shook
UConn ended up taking that one 77-73. It was a gritty, ugly-beautiful kind of win. Solo Ball was the man of the hour, dropping 19 points and hitting the kind of ice-cold free throws that make coaches sleep better at night. But the score doesn't tell the whole story.
Florida actually had the lead with about nine minutes left. They were scrappy. Xavian Lee was playing out of his mind, matching Ball with 19 of his own. The Gators were dominating the glass—plus-12 on rebounds—but they just couldn't buy a three-pointer to save their lives. Four for fifteen. That’s 26%. You aren't beating a top-five UConn team in Manhattan shooting like that.
The Huskies went on this 12-3 run that basically felt like a suffocating blanket. Alex Karaban hit a trailer three that seemed to deflate the Florida bench. It’s those tiny windows of time where UConn just takes over. One minute you’re up one, the next you’re down eight and looking at the clock wondering where the defense went.
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A History of Breaking Hearts
Honestly, the UF vs UConn basketball history is weirdly one-sided if you only look at the regular season. UConn has actually never lost to Florida in a regular-season game. Not once. They are 5-0.
But then you look at the Big Dance.
- Those are the years Florida showed up and ruined the Huskies' March. The 2025 Round of 32 game was particularly brutal for the UConn faithful. Florida won that one 77-75 in Raleigh, ending the Huskies' dream of a historic three-peat.
"To be the champ, you gotta beat the champ," was the mantra for Florida all through that 2024-2025 season.
They did exactly that. They went 36-4 and cut down the nets in San Antonio. So, when they met again at the Garden in December 2025, it wasn't just a non-conference game. It was a heavyweight bout between the reigning king and the former king looking to reclaim the throne.
The Battle of the Back-to-Backs
College hoops fans love to argue. It's what we do. And the biggest debate right now? Whose repeat was more impressive: Billy Donovan’s 2006-2007 Gators or Dan Hurley’s 2023-2024 Huskies?
Florida’s run was legendary because they brought everyone back. The "Oh Fours." Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer—the whole starting five decided to skip the NBA draft for one more year of college life. That just doesn't happen anymore. They were the hunted from day one and still didn't blink.
UConn’s repeat was different. They lost Jordan Hawkins and Adama Sanogo to the pros and still got better. They didn't just win games; they vaporized people. They won every tournament game by double digits. It was clinical.
- Florida 06-07: Continuity and chemistry.
- UConn 23-24: Systemic dominance and depth.
- The Verdict: Most experts lean UConn because of the transfer portal era difficulty, but Florida fans will remind you they had to beat a "stacked" era of talent.
Why This Matchup Stays Relevant
What makes UF vs UConn basketball so fascinating is the contrast in styles. You’ve got the SEC speed and athleticism of Florida going up against the Big East physicality and "ball screen continuity" of UConn.
In their last meeting, UConn's bench was the secret sauce. Malachi Smith came off the pine and dished out nine assists. Nine! For a backup guard in a high-pressure environment, that’s insane. Florida’s bench only contributed 6 points compared to UConn’s 20. In close games, that's usually the difference between a win and a long flight back to Gainesville.
Florida is still a monster on the boards, though. Todd Golden has turned them into a team that lives for second-chance points. Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon are a nightmare to box out. If Florida could have just hit a couple more open looks from deep at MSG, we’d be talking about a very different outcome.
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What to Watch Moving Forward
If you're a fan of either team, keep an eye on the NET rankings. These high-level non-conference games are gold for tournament seeding. UConn's win over Florida basically cemented their status as a potential 1-seed early on. For Florida, it was a "good loss," but those only get you so far in the SEC.
The Gators are currently navigating a brutal 2026 conference schedule. They’ve got dates with Alabama, Auburn, and Kentucky looming. They’re still a top-tier team, but the margin for error is razor-thin.
UConn is... well, UConn. They’re sitting at 9-1 (as of that December run) and looking like they might just make another deep run. Dan Hurley has built a culture where losing isn't just disliked; it’s seemingly impossible.
Practical Takeaways for Fans
If you're betting or just analyzing future matchups between these two, look at these three things:
- The Venue: UConn plays better in New York than almost anyone. If the game is at MSG, lean Huskies.
- Three-Point Percentage: Florida’s Achilles heel. If they're cold, they’re in trouble.
- Bench Depth: UConn’s ability to rotate 9 or 10 guys without a drop-off is their superpower.
Don't expect the fire to die down anytime soon. As long as these two programs stay at the top of the mountain, every game will feel like a Final Four preview. You might want to clear your schedule the next time you see UF vs UConn basketball on the calendar.
To stay ahead of the curve, check the latest KenPom efficiency ratings before their next meeting to see if Florida has fixed their perimeter shooting or if UConn’s defensive rebounding has tightened up. Keep a close eye on the injury reports for Tarris Reed Jr. and Thomas Haugh, as these bigs dictate the entire flow of the paint in this specific rivalry.