No. 22 Florida Gators Prepare to Face Dartmouth Big Green

Gainesville, FL — No. 22 Florida Gators are set to face the Dartmouth Big Green in a men’s basketball matchup on Monday, December 29, at 6 p.m. at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. This game marks the first meeting between the two teams, with Florida entering with an 8-4 record following a win over Colgate.

The Gators are looking to maintain momentum after their recent performance, winning 90-60 against Colgate on December 21. Florida aims to extend its win streak to four while Dartmouth (5-6) aims to rebound from an 85-63 loss against Sacred Heart on December 19.

Florida’s centerpiece this season has been guard Xaivian Lee, who has led the team in scoring during five of the last six games. Lee, a transfer from Princeton, is averaging 17.3 points per game and is coming off a 19-point performance against Colgate. Known for his shooting skills against Ivy League schools, he recorded a career-high 33 points against Dartmouth last season while at Princeton.

Dartmouth relies heavily on their standout player, Kareem Thomas, who ranks among the top scorers in the Ivy League, averaging 19.7 points per game. Thomas excels in three-point shooting, maintaining an impressive 59% from beyond the arc this season. The Big Green also has senior Jayden Williams, who adds depth with a 40% shooting average from three-point range.

The Gators, recognized for their height advantage, feature a robust frontcourt that includes players like Rueben Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten. Chinyelu leads the Gators with 10.8 rebounds per game, placing him ninth nationally. Florida’s rebounding prowess is reflected in their top ranking for rebounding margin at plus-15.

Head coach Todd Golden emphasized the need for his team to improve upon their three-point shooting, currently the lowest among Power Conference teams at 28.2%. “For us to be as good as we can be, we need to get into a better shooting range,” Golden said.

The Gators will aim to leverage their defensive strengths, looking to limit Dartmouth’s perimeter shooting and capitalize on the Big Green’s tendency to turn the ball over, averaging 14.7 turnovers per game. Florida guards have recently excelled in defensive efforts, with Lee and fellow guard Boogie Fland each contributing significant steals throughout the season.

The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network, with James Westling and Patric Young calling the action. Streaming options are available via the ESPN app. This is Florida’s last non-conference match before diving into Southeastern Conference play, making it a pivotal game for the Gators.