Florida Gators Inch Closer to Repeat National Title

Gators' win over Kentucky adds to mounting evidence they can defend their championship.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Florida Gators men's basketball team took another step towards defending their national championship with a 92-83 victory over No. 25 Kentucky on Saturday. The No. 14 Gators are now firmly in the hunt for another SEC regular season title as they look to repeat as national champions.

Why it matters

Florida's win over a ranked Kentucky squad shows they have the talent and experience to make a serious run at becoming the first team to repeat as national champions since 2007. The Gators' deep roster and veteran leadership have them positioned as one of the top contenders in the country.

The details

The Gators were led by a balanced scoring attack, with four players scoring in double figures. Senior guard Tre Mann had a team-high 22 points, while sophomore forward Omar Payne added 18 points and 9 rebounds. Florida's defense also stepped up, holding Kentucky to just 39% shooting from the field.

  • The Gators defeated Kentucky 92-83 on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
  • Florida won the national championship in 2025.

The players

Tre Mann

A senior guard for the Florida Gators who led the team with 22 points in the win over Kentucky.

Omar Payne

A sophomore forward for the Florida Gators who contributed 18 points and 9 rebounds in the victory.

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What they’re saying

“This team has the potential to do something really special. We've got the experience and the talent to make a run at back-to-back titles.”

— Tre Mann, Senior Guard (CBS Sports)

“Coach has been pushing us to play our best basketball at the right time, and I think we're starting to hit our stride. We're not satisfied with just one championship.”

— Omar Payne, Sophomore Forward (CBS Sports)

What’s next

The Gators will look to continue their strong play as they prepare for a showdown with No. 8 Tennessee on February 22nd, which could have major SEC title implications.

The takeaway

Florida's convincing win over a ranked Kentucky squad demonstrates that the defending national champions have the pieces in place to make a serious run at becoming the first team to repeat since 2007. With their veteran leadership and balanced scoring attack, the Gators are firmly in the mix as one of the top contenders for this year's national title.