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Florida Gators Defeat Prairie View A&M Panthers in NCAA Tournament Opener
The No. 1 seed Gators cruise past the 16-seed Panthers in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament
Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:23am
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The Florida Gators, the No. 1 seed in the tournament, opened their 2026 NCAA Tournament campaign with a convincing victory over the Prairie View A&M Panthers, the 16-seed. The Gators, led by a talented roster featuring experienced players like Boogie Fland, Xaivian Lee, and Rueben Chinyelu, dominated the game from start to finish, showcasing their offensive firepower and defensive tenacity.
Why it matters
The Gators' decisive win over Prairie View A&M sets them up for a deep tournament run as they look to capture their first national championship since 2007. The victory also highlights the program's continued success under head coach Todd Golden, who became the youngest national champion head coach since Jim Valvano in 1983.
The details
The Gators jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, outscoring the Panthers in both halves. Florida's balanced scoring attack was led by forward Thomas Haugh, who finished with 17 points and 6 rebounds. Chinyelu, the team's starting center, also had a strong performance, recording a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Prairie View A&M struggled to find their rhythm, with only one player, guard Dontae Horne, scoring in double figures with 20 points.
- The game tipped off at 9:25 p.m. on Friday, March 21, 2026.
- Florida last played at the host arena, then Amalie Arena, in Todd Golden's first season and defeated Ohio, 82-48, on Dec. 14, 2022.
The players
Boogie Fland
A sophomore guard for the Florida Gators who averaged 11.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game during the regular season.
Xaivian Lee
A senior guard for the Florida Gators who averaged 11.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game during the regular season.
Thomas Haugh
A junior forward for the Florida Gators who averaged 17.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game during the regular season.
Rueben Chinyelu
A junior center for the Florida Gators who averaged 11.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game during the regular season.
Dontae Horne
A senior guard for the Prairie View A&M Panthers who averaged 20.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game during the regular season.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee
What’s next
The Gators will face the winner of the matchup between the 8-seed and 9-seed in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The takeaway
The Gators' dominant performance in their tournament opener showcases their potential to make a deep run and contend for the national championship. With their experienced roster and coach Todd Golden's leadership, Florida has the tools to capture their first title in nearly two decades.
