Florida Basketball Faces Texas in Marquee Matchup

Gators look to extend win streak against tough Longhorns squad

Feb. 25, 2026 at 10:05am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Florida men's basketball team, currently ranked No. 7 in the nation, will travel to Austin to take on the Texas Longhorns in a highly anticipated matchup. The Gators have won seven straight games and are led by standout wing player Thomas Haugh, who is just one point away from reaching the 1,000-career point milestone. Texas, meanwhile, is paced by Dailyn Swain, a versatile scorer who has emerged as one of the top players in the Big 12 conference.

Why it matters

This game features two of the top teams in the country and could have major implications for NCAA Tournament seeding. Florida is looking to solidify its position as an elite program, while Texas is hoping to notch a signature win that would boost its resume. The outcome of this clash could impact the national rankings and the postseason outlook for both squads.

The details

Florida is coming off a dominant 94-75 victory over Ole Miss, extending its winning streak to seven games. The Gators are led by the dynamic duo of Thomas Haugh and Rueben Chinyelu, with Haugh needing just one point to reach 1,000 career points and Chinyelu one offensive rebound away from breaking the single-season record. Texas, on the other hand, is led by Dailyn Swain, who averages 17.9 points, 7.3 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game. The Longhorns had their five-game win streak snapped in a loss to Georgia, and they'll be looking to bounce back against the highly-ranked Gators.

  • The game is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25 at 7 p.m. ET.
  • Florida is currently 21-6 overall and 12-2 in SEC play.
  • Texas is 17-10 overall and 8-6 in Big 12 conference play.

The players

Thomas Haugh

A senior guard for the Florida Gators, Haugh is just one point away from reaching the 1,000-career point milestone.

Rueben Chinyelu

A forward for the Florida Gators, Chinyelu is one offensive rebound away from breaking the single-season record set by Dwayne Davis in the 1988-89 season.

Dailyn Swain

The leading scorer for the Texas Longhorns, Swain averages 17.9 points, 7.3 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I think they're a really good offensive team. They've had some really good wins in our league. They won at Alabama. They've been a tough team to play with. I think they're really good.”

— Todd Golden, Florida Head Coach

“Just a really talented wing scorer. He's shot the ball a lot better this year. That wasn't necessarily a knock on him, but it was an area of growth for him going into the year and he's shot it well from three. His playmaking is there. He's turned himself into a three-level scorer and been a real problem for the league.”

— Todd Golden, Florida Head Coach

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a significant step towards securing a high seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, while the loser will need to regroup and focus on finishing the regular season strong.

The takeaway

This matchup between two top-tier programs showcases the depth and talent of college basketball. Fans can expect an exciting, high-intensity game as both teams look to gain a crucial victory that could impact their postseason aspirations.