Florida Gators showcase roster depth in season-opening win over Canes
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Florida Gators showcase roster depth in season-opening win over Canes
Michael Trim Jr, Gators Wire·Gators Wire
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2 min read
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TheFlorida Gatorsare loaded with talent in their starting lineup, but coach Todd Golden's early substitution gave freshman Domen Petrovic a chance to make an immediate impact. Just over three minutes into the game, the 6-foot-9 Petrovic checked in alongside reigning SEC Sixth Man of the Year Urban Klavžar.
"I didn't know we would go into the game as the first two subs," Klavzar said. "This was his first college game, so he was probably a little nervous; we were all probably a little nervous, but he was not scared of the moment. I was so proud of the confidence he played with."
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Petrovic wasted little time making his presence felt. He drew a foul after securing a rebound, then knocked down a 3-pointer on his first collegiate shot attempt to extendFlorida's lead.
"I try to play with the attitude that every shot is the same," Petrovic said following Florida's victory. "I've taken millions of those shots in practice, and I know my coaches and teammates trust me with that shot. That's why I felt so comfortable just stepping up and taking it."
The Slovenian forward finished his debut with six points, three rebounds and a drawn charge on the defensive end, committing no turnovers in just over 10 minutes of action. Alongside Klavzar and Isaiah Brown, the trio combined for 22 points.
Brown delivered an equally impressive performance, finishing with seven points on perfect shooting, three rebounds and a plus-16 rating in 13 minutes of action.
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"I played with a clear mind and a belief in everything I had to do," Brown said. "My mindset was, no matter what I do, just do it by giving my all. Every play."
Brown's contributions were significant, and Golden did not miss his performance.
"He was absolutely awesome," Golden said. "We'd been really, I don't know if I would say, hard on Isaiah, but we have challenged him a lot because he gave us such a great season last year that we built this team planning on him playing a very important role. He just hadn't played his best in the exhibition games. We knew it would eventually show up."
Klavzar emphasized that Florida's reserves are focused on doing more than simply maintaining the team's momentum when they enter the game.
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"The goal of the bench is not to come in and just hang around. We should always try to make the team better and go on some runs," Klavzar said. "We have the ability to do that every single night."
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden and Miami Hurricanes head coach Jai Lucas talk before the game at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden talks with Florida Gators center Alex Condon (21), Florida Gators guard Boogie Fland (0) and team before a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) grabs a rebound over Miami Hurricanes center Somto Cyril (2) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators guard Denzel Aberdeen (1) dunks the ball over Miami Hurricanes center Somto Cyril (2) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) shoots the ball over Miami Hurricanes forward Caleb Gaskins (11) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators center Alex Condon (21) posts up against Miami Hurricanes forward Malik Reneau (5) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators guard Boogie Fland (0) shoots over Miami Hurricanes guard Acaden Lewis (55) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators center Alex Condon (21) defends Miami Hurricanes forward Malik Reneau (5) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes forward Shelton Henderson (7) attempts a layup over Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden gestures during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators forward Domen Petrovic (19) gestures after a three point basket during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes center Somto Cyril (2) battles for a loose ball with Florida Gators forward Domen Petrovic (19) and Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) celebrates during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Brent Bland (1) drives to the basket past Florida Gators guard Isaiah Brown (20) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes center Egor Ryzhov (10) shoots the ball over Florida Gators center Alex Condon (21) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) high fives Florida Gators guard Denzel Aberdeen (1) during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators guard Urban Klavzar (7) fights for the ball with Miami Hurricanes center Somto Cyril (2) and Miami Hurricanes guard Brent Bland (1) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators forward Domen Petrovic (19) and Florida Gators guard Boogie Fland (0) talk during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/18
PHOTO: Top highlights from Florida vs Miami in season opener
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden and Miami Hurricanes head coach Jai Lucas talk before the game at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/18
PHOTO: Top highlights from Florida vs Miami in season opener
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden and Miami Hurricanes head coach Jai Lucas talk before the game at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
2/18
PHOTO: Top highlights from Florida vs Miami in season opener
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden talks with Florida Gators center Alex Condon (21), Florida Gators guard Boogie Fland (0) and team before a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3/18
Final score, recap, highligths from Florida's season-opening win vs Miami
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) grabs a rebound over Miami Hurricanes center Somto Cyril (2) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
4/18
Final score, recap, highligths from Florida's season-opening win vs Miami
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators guard Denzel Aberdeen (1) dunks the ball over Miami Hurricanes center Somto Cyril (2) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5/18
PHOTO: Top highlights from Florida vs Miami in season opener
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) shoots the ball over Miami Hurricanes forward Caleb Gaskins (11) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
6/18
PHOTO: Top highlights from Florida vs Miami in season opener
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators center Alex Condon (21) posts up against Miami Hurricanes forward Malik Reneau (5) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
7/18
PHOTO: Top highlights from Florida vs Miami in season opener
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators guard Boogie Fland (0) shoots over Miami Hurricanes guard Acaden Lewis (55) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8/18
PHOTO: Top highlights from Florida vs Miami in season opener
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators center Alex Condon (21) defends Miami Hurricanes forward Malik Reneau (5) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9/18
PHOTO: Top highlights from Florida vs Miami in season opener
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes forward Shelton Henderson (7) attempts a layup over Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
10/18
Todd Golden looks ahead to Florida's road game at FSU on Tuesday
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden gestures during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11/18
PHOTO: Top highlights from Florida vs Miami in season opener
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators forward Domen Petrovic (19) gestures after a three point basket during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
12/18
PHOTO: Top highlights from Florida vs Miami in season opener
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes center Somto Cyril (2) battles for a loose ball with Florida Gators forward Domen Petrovic (19) and Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
13/18
PHOTO: Top highlights from Florida vs Miami in season opener
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) celebrates during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
14/18
PHOTO: Top highlights from Florida vs Miami in season opener
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Brent Bland (1) drives to the basket past Florida Gators guard Isaiah Brown (20) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
15/18
PHOTO: Top highlights from Florida vs Miami in season opener
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes center Egor Ryzhov (10) shoots the ball over Florida Gators center Alex Condon (21) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
16/18
Where KenPom ranks Florida after college basketball's opening week
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) high fives Florida Gators guard Denzel Aberdeen (1) during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
17/18
PHOTO: Top highlights from Florida vs Miami in season opener
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators guard Urban Klavzar (7) fights for the ball with Miami Hurricanes center Somto Cyril (2) and Miami Hurricanes guard Brent Bland (1) during the first half at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
18/18
PHOTO: Top highlights from Florida vs Miami in season opener
Nov 2, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Gators forward Domen Petrovic (19) and Florida Gators guard Boogie Fland (0) talk during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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