Florida Gators Confident Ahead of Showdown with Alabama's Charles Bediako

Coach Todd Golden guarantees a win despite Bediako's return to the Crimson Tide lineup.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 3:39pm

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Florida Gators men's basketball coach Todd Golden has guaranteed a win over Alabama on Sunday, even with the return of Crimson Tide center Charles Bediako. Bediako, who previously left Alabama for the NBA G-League, has been granted immediate eligibility to play again for Alabama after a judge issued a temporary restraining order. Golden doesn't expect his comments to provide extra motivation for Alabama, saying the Gators are confident in their own abilities. The matchup features two fast-paced, high-scoring teams, with Florida looking to counter Alabama's strong 3-point shooting.

Why it matters

This SEC showdown between two ranked teams is an important conference game with major implications for the standings. Bediako's return to Alabama's lineup after his brief NBA stint adds an intriguing wrinkle, as the Gators will have to find a way to neutralize the athletic 7-footer. Golden's guarantee also adds some extra drama and bulletin-board material to the highly anticipated matchup.

The details

Florida coach Todd Golden recently questioned the legality of Bediako's return to Alabama after the 23-year-old spent time in the NBA G-League. Golden then guaranteed a Gators win even if Bediako played. Bediako is now set to start for Alabama on Sunday after a judge granted him immediate eligibility. The 7-footer had 13 points, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks in his first game back against Tennessee. Florida will look to take advantage of its frontcourt edge and rebounding advantage, while trying to slow down Alabama's prolific 3-point shooting.

  • Bediako is scheduled to start for Alabama on Sunday, January 29, 2026.
  • Golden made his guarantee during a January 22, 2026 radio appearance.

The players

Todd Golden

The head coach of the Florida Gators men's basketball team.

Charles Bediako

A 7-foot center who previously played for Alabama, left for the NBA G-League, and has now been granted immediate eligibility to return to the Crimson Tide lineup.

Nate Oats

The head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team.

Thomas Haugh

A star player for the Florida Gators men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“We're going to beat 'em anyways. If he plays, we'll beat 'em anyways.”

— Todd Golden, Head Coach, Florida Gators

“It's definitely not right. This dude literally was at college, left, and then came back. But I don't know. We'll play them with, play them without him. It doesn't matter.”

— Thomas Haugh, Player, Florida Gators

What’s next

The judge in Alabama's case will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Charles Bediako to remain eligible to play for the Crimson Tide.

The takeaway

This high-stakes SEC matchup between two ranked teams features an intriguing subplot with Bediako's return to Alabama's lineup after a stint in the G-League. Coach Golden's bold guarantee has added some extra drama, but the Gators remain confident they can win regardless of Bediako's status, setting the stage for an exciting conference showdown.