Florida is heading to the Elite Eight for the first time in eight years. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
No. 1 Florida didn’t look like an NCAA tournament favorite in the first half against No. 4 Maryland. But the Gators sure did in the second half.
Florida advanced to its first Elite Eight since 2017 with a 87-72 West region win over the Terrapins. Florida put the game away with a 13-2 run that extended the lead to 74-56 with just over seven minutes to go.
The win is the eighth straight in the Sweet 16 for Florida and is tied for the second-longest Sweet 16 win streak in men’s NCAA tournament history behind North Carolina’s 11. Since 2017, Florida had lost three games in the second round and a first-round game in its four tournament appearances.
Advertisement
The Gators were comfortably ahead before that thanks to a hot start to the second half, however. As Maryland moved to cut off Florida’s perimeter players from getting to the paint, Terps defenders seemed to leave Rueben Chinyelu wide open. He scored three easy baskets in less than two minutes as Florida built out a 52-42 lead with 15:22 to go.
Maryland cut the lead to six briefly at 55-49 but Florida took over from there.
It was an ugly first half for the Gators after they turned the ball over 13 times. Five different players had two turnovers as the Gators simply couldn’t hold onto the ball. Yet Florida still led by two at halftime. That was a bad sign for Maryland.
Florida played much of the game without forward Alex Condon after he turned his right ankle in the first half. Condon immediately hopped off the court after he reinjured the same ankle he sprained against Mississippi State in February. After he got the all clear from precautionary X-rays, he returned to the game with 13:29 to go in the second half after sitting out for nearly 15 minutes.
Advertisement
Six different Gators scored in double figures as Condon was hobbled and had six points in 15 minutes. Will Richard led Florida with 15 points and was 3-of-6 from the 3-point line. It was hardly a performance like Alabama’s against BYU on Thursday night, but Florida finished 11-of-27 from behind the arc.
Maryland’s Derik Queen led all scorers with 27 points and was 10-of-10 from the free-throw line. But just four Terrapins scored points and a bench player somehow didn’t even take a single shot until there was less than 30 seconds to go and Maryland had subbed out its starters.
Thursday night’s game may also be the last for Maryland coach Kevin Willard if he leaves for Villanova. Willard has been mentioned as a possible candidate at Villanova and has been outspoken throughout March Madness about the resources available at Maryland.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Chiefs’ playoff elimination and Patrick Mahomes’ knee injury puts Chiefs dynasty at a crossroads. Is it a pause or the end?
As Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones processed Sunday’s 16-13 home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, a reporter’s question about being eliminated from postseason contention seemed to suddenly register in mid-thought.“I think the score was 13-13 or 13-10, so still had a fighting chance. Um…”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJones paused and looked at reporters.“Are we out of the playoffs?” he asked. “We are? OK.”He pursed his lips for a moment and went silent.Those few seconds felt like reality hitting home for the Chiefs defensive star. A totality on Sunday for Kansas City — from the top of the franchise to the bottom of the fan base — that carried the wallop of a sledgehammer. There would be no astounding turnaround and run to a Super Bowl. Instead, the team’s streak of seven consecutive AFC title game appearances ended, falling one short of […]
Stars of the future! Who can emulate Alcaraz and Sinner at Next Gen ATP Finals?
The Next Gen ATP Finals is set with stars Learner Tien and Alexander Blockx ready to compete at the 20-and-under event from 17-21 December in Jeddah - live on Sky Sports.Tien and Blockx will be joined by Dino Prizmic, Martin Landaluce, Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, Nishesh Basavareddy, Rafael Jodar and Justin Engel at the tournament held at the King Abdullah Sports City. World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner both former winners, while Joao Fonseca lifted the title in 2024 but the Brazilian - who won two ATP Tour titles in 2025 - is out of the event due to injury. Who are the players competing in Jeddah? Learner Tien - Captured maiden ATP Tour crown in MetzAlexander Blockx - Lifted two Challenger trophies this yearDino Prizmic - Won two ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2025Martin Landaluce - Triumphed at […]
Cowboys playoff bid in tatters after McCarthy leads Vikings to win
JJ McCarthy threw for two touchdowns and ran for one as Minnesota Vikings severely damaged Dallas' playoff hopes with a 34-26 victory over the Cowboys on Sunday night.The Vikings (6-8) won a second consecutive game after they were eliminated from the postseason playoff race before the kick-off. Minnesota was a 14-win playoff qualifier a year ago. The Cowboys (6-7-1) have to win their three remaining games and hope defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia goes 0-3 in order for Dallas to overtake the Eagles in the NFC East. It was a second straight loss for Dallas after getting over .500 for the first time this season. "It's just a thing to keep building on the rest of the way and leading into next year," said Minnesota receiver Jalen Nailor, who caught both of McCarthy's TD passes. "We just have a one-game […]
Krejčí v NBA nastřílel 19 bodů a pomohl Atlantě k vítězství
KomentářeGLOSA: Nášup od Švédů nic neřeší, Rulík už moc dobře tuší, kdo do Milána poletíPřed měsícem se po dvou porážkách končilo vítězstvím, které rozpačitý dojem z finského turnaje lehce vyhladilo, teď pro změnu po dvou výhrách závěr zkalila porážka 0:5. Dokonce nejvyšší za vlády Radima Rulíka na střídačce hokejové reprezentace, což vzhledem k tomu, že měly Švýcarské hry punc generálky na olympiádu, může působit jako rázná facka. Ve skutečnosti ale jakýkoliv vliv na únorový Milán mít nebude, stejně jako by to platilo v případě českého triumfu na celé akci. Proč? Hry za dva měsíce proti sobě postaví z velké části odlišné týmy s jinými lídry a v jiných pozicích.Včera 20:18
Tongue replaces Atkinson in only England change for crucial third Ashes Test
England have made one change to their line-up for the crucial third Ashes Test, with Josh Tongue replacing Gus Atkinson for the side's must-win Adelaide match .That means Surrey all-rounder Will Jacks retains his place as the designated spinner, with no place again for Shoaib Bashir. Atkinson has been dropped after managing just three wickets at 78.66, with seamer Tongue returning to the line-up. He was England's top wicket-taker against India in the summer and took five in his only previous Ashes Test at Lord's in 2023, when he dismissed Steve Smith in each innings. England team for third Ashes Test Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue Brendon McCullum's side are 2-0 down in the five-match series against Australia after slumping to eight-wicket […]
‘I fell asleep!’ – Bunting says fans got him through thrilling first-round win
Stephen Bunting says he "fell asleep" to give Poland's Sebastian Bialecki an opportunity to knock him out of the first round at the World Darts Championship.Bialecki was on the verge of the biggest shock yet at this year's tournament as he roared back from 2-0 down to send the match to a deciding set and led 2-1 in the final set. However, world No 4 Bunting reeled off three legs in a row to avoid a major surprise but admits he "maybe thought the game was over" after dominating the opening two sets. "That was not the plan. I felt comfortable. For whatever reason, I fell asleep and to go behind in the match was a travesty, to be honest," said Bunting, who reached the semi-finals of the World Championship last year."I felt a bit worthless, but I'm happy to […]
Related
Chiefs’ playoff elimination and Patrick Mahomes’ knee injury puts Chiefs dynasty at a crossroads. Is it a pause or the end?
As Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones processed Sunday’s 16-13 home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, a reporter’s question about being eliminated from postseason contention seemed to suddenly register in mid-thought.“I think the score was 13-13 or 13-10, so still had a fighting chance. Um…”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJones paused and looked at reporters.“Are we out of the playoffs?” he asked. “We are? OK.”He pursed his lips for a moment and went silent.Those few seconds felt like reality hitting home for the Chiefs defensive star. A totality on Sunday for Kansas City — from the top of the franchise to the bottom of the fan base — that carried the wallop of a sledgehammer. There would be no astounding turnaround and run to a Super Bowl. Instead, the team’s streak of seven consecutive AFC title game appearances ended, falling one short of […]
Stars of the future! Who can emulate Alcaraz and Sinner at Next Gen ATP Finals?
The Next Gen ATP Finals is set with stars Learner Tien and Alexander Blockx ready to compete at the 20-and-under event from 17-21 December in Jeddah - live on Sky Sports.Tien and Blockx will be joined by Dino Prizmic, Martin Landaluce, Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, Nishesh Basavareddy, Rafael Jodar and Justin Engel at the tournament held at the King Abdullah Sports City. World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner both former winners, while Joao Fonseca lifted the title in 2024 but the Brazilian - who won two ATP Tour titles in 2025 - is out of the event due to injury. Who are the players competing in Jeddah? Learner Tien - Captured maiden ATP Tour crown in MetzAlexander Blockx - Lifted two Challenger trophies this yearDino Prizmic - Won two ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2025Martin Landaluce - Triumphed at […]
Cowboys playoff bid in tatters after McCarthy leads Vikings to win
JJ McCarthy threw for two touchdowns and ran for one as Minnesota Vikings severely damaged Dallas' playoff hopes with a 34-26 victory over the Cowboys on Sunday night.The Vikings (6-8) won a second consecutive game after they were eliminated from the postseason playoff race before the kick-off. Minnesota was a 14-win playoff qualifier a year ago. The Cowboys (6-7-1) have to win their three remaining games and hope defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia goes 0-3 in order for Dallas to overtake the Eagles in the NFC East. It was a second straight loss for Dallas after getting over .500 for the first time this season. "It's just a thing to keep building on the rest of the way and leading into next year," said Minnesota receiver Jalen Nailor, who caught both of McCarthy's TD passes. "We just have a one-game […]
Krejčí v NBA nastřílel 19 bodů a pomohl Atlantě k vítězství
KomentářeGLOSA: Nášup od Švédů nic neřeší, Rulík už moc dobře tuší, kdo do Milána poletíPřed měsícem se po dvou porážkách končilo vítězstvím, které rozpačitý dojem z finského turnaje lehce vyhladilo, teď pro změnu po dvou výhrách závěr zkalila porážka 0:5. Dokonce nejvyšší za vlády Radima Rulíka na střídačce hokejové reprezentace, což vzhledem k tomu, že měly Švýcarské hry punc generálky na olympiádu, může působit jako rázná facka. Ve skutečnosti ale jakýkoliv vliv na únorový Milán mít nebude, stejně jako by to platilo v případě českého triumfu na celé akci. Proč? Hry za dva měsíce proti sobě postaví z velké části odlišné týmy s jinými lídry a v jiných pozicích.Včera 20:18
Tongue replaces Atkinson in only England change for crucial third Ashes Test
England have made one change to their line-up for the crucial third Ashes Test, with Josh Tongue replacing Gus Atkinson for the side's must-win Adelaide match .That means Surrey all-rounder Will Jacks retains his place as the designated spinner, with no place again for Shoaib Bashir. Atkinson has been dropped after managing just three wickets at 78.66, with seamer Tongue returning to the line-up. He was England's top wicket-taker against India in the summer and took five in his only previous Ashes Test at Lord's in 2023, when he dismissed Steve Smith in each innings. England team for third Ashes Test Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue Brendon McCullum's side are 2-0 down in the five-match series against Australia after slumping to eight-wicket […]
‘I fell asleep!’ – Bunting says fans got him through thrilling first-round win
Stephen Bunting says he "fell asleep" to give Poland's Sebastian Bialecki an opportunity to knock him out of the first round at the World Darts Championship.Bialecki was on the verge of the biggest shock yet at this year's tournament as he roared back from 2-0 down to send the match to a deciding set and led 2-1 in the final set. However, world No 4 Bunting reeled off three legs in a row to avoid a major surprise but admits he "maybe thought the game was over" after dominating the opening two sets. "That was not the plan. I felt comfortable. For whatever reason, I fell asleep and to go behind in the match was a travesty, to be honest," said Bunting, who reached the semi-finals of the World Championship last year."I felt a bit worthless, but I'm happy to […]
Be the first to leave a comment