Tag: Loyola Maryland Greyhounds

Five takeaways from Florida basketball’s season opening win

Our five takeaways from the Florida Gators win/loss to the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds on Monday night.

The Florida Gators opened the 2023 college basketball season with a 20-point victory over the Loyola Greyhounds.

It’s a more than an ideal start for second-year head coach Todd Golden and his young ensemble of talent, but it looked like the team had built some serious chemistry despite only playing in one full game together.

The Gators toppled the Greyhounds, 93-73, through a spectacular night from sophomore guard Riley Kugel, who’s taking over the leadership role after the departure of Colin Castleton.

There were a few plays and turnovers the Gators would certainly like back, but the offense is meshing nicely and the rebound improvement that was harped on in the offseason seems like it’s coming to fruition.

The Gators showed off a stellar preview of things to come in 2023 and here’s are the five main takeaways from the season opener.

PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida basketball’s season-opening win

Here are highlights from Florida’s 2023-24 season-opening win over Loyola in the O’Dome.

Florida basketball earned a victory in its season-opening game inside the O’Connell Center against the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds on Monday night, 93-73. It was a solid showing for the Gators to open the second season of the Todd Golden era.

Riley Kugel led the way for the Orange and Blue with 23 points along with a team-high six steals, while also dishing out four assists and grabbing three boards. Three other Gators finished with double-digit points and all 10 players who saw action also found their way onto the scoreboard.

The Greyhounds had three players in double-digits, led by Dike Golden. Florida shot 58% overall from the floor while Loyola managed a 46% mark.

Take a look below at highlights from Florida’s 2023-24 season-opening win over Loyola in the O’Dome as the Gators start the schedule off on a strong note.

Game Preview: Florida basketball kicks off 2023-24 regular season against Loyola Maryland

There are a lot of new faces on the 2023-24 Florida men’s basketball roster. The season tips off Saturday night against Loyola Maryland at 8 p.m. ET.

Florida basketball is finally back.

The Gators will kick off the regular season Monday night against Loyola Maryland, with tipoff set for 8 p.m. ET at the Exactech Arena at Stephen O’Connell Center.

It’s Year 2 under head coach Todd Golden, and the expectation is for the team to take a step forward under him. Golden brought in several transfer players to replenish the frontcourt and add some backcourt depth. The only returning starters are sophomore wing Riley Kugel and junior Will guard Will Richard.

Loyola Maryland should be a nice test for the new-look roster and a chance for some of the newer Gators to get their feet wet.

Florida Gators SG Julian Rishwain cleared for season opener

The Florida Gators open its season against the Loyola Greyhounds on Monday night and transfer SG Rishwain has been cleared for action.

Finally, the Florida Gators basketball season is upon us.

The Orange and Blue are ready to lace up and take to the hardwood to start a brand new year. Florida is hosting the Loyola Greyhounds at the O’Dome on Monday night and they’ll have a key player returning to the lineup.

Senior transfer [autotag]Julian Rishwain[/autotag] was cleared to play on Thursday afternoon after going through an offseason of rehab in his right knee. The shooting guard tore his ACL back in January.

Rishwain stated that he feels more than ready to play on Monday night.

“I’m feeling like I’m a go for Monday,” Rishwain said. “I felt great out there tonight. The recovery process was long but I did it at 150 percent and I feel like I made up some time to come back. Duke Werner, our [trainer], thought I’d come back a little later but I think I made great time to get back in time for the start of the season.”

Rishwain transferred from San Francisco over the offseason and participated in the Orange and Blue scrimmage game Thursday night, giving him the clear sign that he’s ready to go.

The transfer will be getting a fresh start with Florida but with a familiar face at head coach. Todd Golden was in charge of San Francisco when Rishwain transferred to the program in 2020.

Tipoff between the Florida Gators and Loyola Greyhounds is set for 8 p.m. EST and will broadcast on SEC Network+.

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