No. 5 Florida Clinches SEC Title with Blowout of Mississippi State

Gators dominate Bulldogs to claim regular-season conference championship

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The fifth-ranked Florida Gators clinched the Southeastern Conference regular-season title with a decisive 108-74 victory over Mississippi State on Tuesday night in Gainesville. Alex Condon led the way for Florida with a season-high 26 points, while the Gators also got strong contributions from Xaivian Lee, Boogie Fland, and Urban Klavzar. Mississippi State's Rueben Chinyelu recorded his 18th double-double of the season, tying a school record, but the Bulldogs could not keep pace with the high-powered Gators offense.

Why it matters

Florida's win clinches the SEC regular-season title outright, the first time the Gators have accomplished that feat since 2014. The victory also extends Florida's winning streak to 10 games and keeps them firmly in the hunt for a high seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

The details

The Gators led by 12 at halftime and never let up, outscoring Mississippi State 61-39 in the second half to cruise to the 34-point victory. Florida shot 54.3% from the field and had five players score in double figures, led by Condon's 26 points. The Bulldogs got a strong performance from Chinyelu, who recorded his 18th double-double of the season, but could not keep up with the Gators' offensive onslaught.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, March 4, 2026 in Gainesville, Florida.
  • Florida ends the regular season by playing at Kentucky on Saturday, March 8, 2026.
  • Mississippi State will host Georgia on Saturday, March 8, 2026.

The players

Alex Condon

A Florida Gators player who scored a season-high 26 points and added 7 rebounds and 3 assists in the win.

Rueben Chinyelu

A Mississippi State Bulldogs player who recorded his 18th double-double of the season, tying a school record.

Thomas Haugh

Florida's leading scorer who did not play in the game.

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What they’re saying

“This is such an accomplishment for our team to win the SEC title outright. The guys have worked hard all season and it's great to see that effort pay off.”

— Billy Donovan, Florida Head Coach (Gainesville Sun)

What’s next

Florida will look to carry the momentum from this SEC title-clinching win into the postseason, where they will aim for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament. Mississippi State will try to rebound from this loss when they host Georgia in their regular season finale on Saturday.

The takeaway

Florida's dominant performance not only secured the Gators' first outright SEC regular-season title since 2014, but also showcased the team's depth and offensive firepower as they continue to build towards a deep NCAA Tournament run. Meanwhile, Mississippi State's struggles against the conference's elite programs highlight the work still needed to become a consistent contender in the SEC.