'We're gonna beat 'em anyways' becomes storyline for Alabama-Florida hoops

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Florida basketball coach Todd Golden is standing by his comments that the Gators will beat Alabama, despite Alabama center Charles Bediako's return to the team. Golden made the remarks while responding to Bediako's comeback, and he maintains that was his honest feeling at the time and remains his approach heading into the matchup between the two SEC rivals.

Why it matters

The back-and-forth between the two coaches has become a central storyline leading up to the highly anticipated Alabama-Florida basketball game. The comments highlight the intense rivalry and competitive spirit between the two programs as they vie for position in the SEC standings.

The details

In a recent press conference, Florida coach Todd Golden responded to news of Alabama center Charles Bediako's return by saying "we're gonna beat 'em anyways." Golden insists he wasn't being disrespectful, but rather expressing his confidence in his team's ability to win the game. The comments have since become a main talking point ahead of the matchup between the 23rd-ranked Crimson Tide and the Gators.

• The Alabama-Florida basketball game is scheduled for February 5, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Alabama-Florida basketball game is scheduled for February 5, 2026, where the two teams will face off on the court and see if Florida can back up their coach's bold prediction.