7-foot-9 Canadian Olivier Rioux Debuts as No. 3 Florida Dominates North Florida
Alex Condon scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Micah Handlogten recorded his second double-double in as many games, leading No. 3 Florida to a commanding 104-64 victory over North Florida on Thursday night.
Lopsided Game and Memorable Debut
The game was so one-sided that 7-foot-9 walk-on Olivier Rioux, recognized as the world’s tallest teenager, made his college debut. The 19-year-old freshman received the loudest cheer of the night when he removed his warmup jersey and entered the court with 2:09 remaining, although he did not touch the ball.
Florida’s Strong Performance After Opening Loss
Following a narrow five-point loss to 13th-ranked Arizona in Las Vegas, the Gators unveiled their national championship banner before the game and dominated in their home opener. Their defensive intensity and rebounding were key factors in the win.
- Condon bounced back from a tough matchup with freshman Koa Peat, contributing four assists, three blocks, and two steals.
- Florida controlled the boards with a 64-24 rebounding advantage and outscored North Florida 66-22 in the paint.
- Handlogten added 17 points and 13 rebounds.
- Thomas Haugh chipped in 12 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.
Team Records and North Florida’s Struggles
The Gators improved to 1-1 on the season, winning their 35th consecutive home opener and extending their dominance over North Florida to 12-0. The Ospreys, under first-year coach Bobby Keenen, struggled in their season opener and posed little threat to the Gators.
“Rioux didn’t even touch the ball, but the crowd gave him the loudest ovation when he stepped on the court,” highlighting the excitement around the towering freshman.
Author’s summary: Florida bounced back convincingly from an early loss, showcasing dominant defense and rebounding, highlighted by the debut of 7-foot-9 freshman Olivier Rioux.