When the Student Challenges the Master: Florida vs. UConn is More Than Just a Game

RALEIGH, N.C. – Three years ago, Todd Golden’s Florida Gators got a harsh reality check when they were humiliated at home by Dan Hurley’s UConn squad. That loss wasn’t just a defeat; it was an awakening. Golden knew he had to rebuild his program from the ground up, and ironically, the blueprint he followed looked a lot like the team that crushed him.

Now, fate has orchestrated a high-stakes rematch. Florida, the No. 1 seed, faces UConn in the NCAA tournament’s round of 32, and the tension couldn’t be thicker. Golden’s Gators have been dominant, but UConn, the reigning two-time champs, doesn’t just roll over for anyone. Winning 13 straight tournament games, Hurley’s squad still exudes the same championship DNA that broke Florida’s spirit years ago.

Golden admits that game changed everything for him. “It opened my eyes to what it really takes to compete at the highest level,” he said. “We didn’t copy UConn, but we knew we had to build something similar.” Now, with a deep, cohesive, and battle-tested team, he believes Florida is ready to prove that evolution.

But here’s the kicker—despite Florida’s No. 1 seed status, many still bet on UConn. Golden knows it. His players know it. And that underdog energy fuels them. “We’re favored on paper, but most people still think UConn’s winning this game. That’s fine. We’ll use it,” he said.

For Hurley, watching Florida’s rise feels like looking in the mirror. He sees shades of his own championship rosters in the Gators’ physicality, depth, and leadership. But if Golden borrowed from UConn, Hurley proudly admits he borrowed from Florida’s past. Billy Donovan’s legendary back-to-back title runs in 2006 and 2007 were his inspiration. “Those Florida teams are some of my all-time favorites,” Hurley said. “To do what my coaching idol did—it means the world.”

Yet, when Hurley tried reaching out to Donovan recently, the Hall of Fame coach ghosted him. “Billy’s dodging my calls and texts,” Hurley joked. “Guess he doesn’t want to pick sides.”

So, is this a torch-passing moment, or will Hurley prove the apprentice isn’t ready to overthrow the master just yet? Sunday will tell, and one thing’s for sure—this battle is personal.

Florida vs. UConn isn’t just another game. It’s a collision of legacies, ambitions, and borrowed greatness. And when the dust settles, one coach will walk away validated, and the other? Back to the drawing board.