Florida Men's Basketball Hosts Stetson in Exhibition

The top-ranked Gators take on Stetson in a preseason exhibition matchup held in Gainesville.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Basketball

Florida Men's Basketball Hosts Stetson in Exhibition

Live Poll

Do you trust your local team's current ranking to reflect how they will perform this season?

The University of Florida men's basketball team faces Stetson University in an exhibition game. This matchup features a Gators squad currently holding the No. 1 ranking in the AP poll.

Why it matters

The exhibition serves as a key early test for Florida as they look to justify their status as the top-ranked team in the nation. It provides a platform for the program to assess its readiness ahead of the regular season schedule.

Florida enters the contest positioned as the No. 1 team in the current AP poll. The team relies on returning veterans including Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, and Ruben Chinyelu, alongside eligible guard Denzel Aberdeen.

The players

University of Florida

This public research university in Gainesville maintains a prominent NCAA Division I basketball program.

Stetson University

This private university located in DeLand, Florida, competes in Division I athletics.

Thomas Haugh

He is a returning player entering his third season with the Florida Gators basketball program.

Alex Condon

He is a student-athlete beginning his third season playing for the Florida men's basketball team.

Ruben Chinyelu

He is a returning member of the Florida roster who is starting his third season with the team.

The details

Florida utilizes this exhibition to integrate its roster, which includes key returning players like Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, and Ruben Chinyelu. Denzel Aberdeen is also confirmed eligible and available for the Gators in this preseason appearance.

The exhibition game against Stetson took place on Tuesday.

Season Trajectory

Holding the No. 1 position in the AP poll creates high expectations for the Gators as they navigate the transition from preseason exhibition play to the rigors of the regular season. This game acts as a critical benchmark to see if Florida can maintain its top-tier status.

Fans and analysts will be monitoring the rotation and individual performances of veterans like Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon to gauge team depth. This game provides the first real look at how Denzel Aberdeen integrates into the active lineup for the new campaign.

The takeaway

Preseason exhibitions are essential for top-ranked teams to identify chemistry and refine their strategies before the competition intensifies. Keeping track of player eligibility and returning experience is key for followers of the program this season.