The payback is real. No. 5 UConn closed a tight one at Madison Square Garden, beating No. 18 Florida 77 to 73 in the Jimmy V Classic. The Huskies hit half their shots, outfoxed a bigger front line, and finished with poise. This came nine months after Florida bounced UConn from March Madness. The message tonight was simple. The champs are still here, and they are deep.
Final: UConn 77, Florida 73. Huskies move to 9-1. Gators fall to 5-4.
Instant classic at the Garden
The game had March energy in December. Every possession mattered. Florida pounded the glass and grabbed a 40 to 28 edge in rebounds. UConn did not blink. The Huskies answered with clean offense, smart spacing, and clutch free throws.
Solo Ball set the tone with 19 points. He attacked gaps and punished closeouts. Alex Karaban added 13, steady and timely, while UConn’s guards kept the floor organized. When Florida made a run, UConn found an answer and a good shot.
The closing minute swung on poise. Florida committed a late turnover, then a five-second inbound violation. UConn got the ball to the right hands and closed it at the stripe. The Garden crowd felt the shift. UConn embraced it.
A five-second violation on an inbound with seconds left stalled Florida’s last push.
How UConn flipped the script
Florida owned the backboards. UConn won the math. The Huskies shot 50 percent from the field and stayed even in turnover margin. That balance kept Florida from cashing in on second chances.
Shot making over size
UConn’s spacing was sharp. The ball moved, cutters were early, and the corners stayed occupied. That pulled Florida’s bigs away from the rim. It opened mid-range pockets and driving lanes that Solo Ball and Karaban used all night.
Bench impact
Malachi Smith changed the pace off the bench. He finished with nine assists and sparked two key runs. His tempo lifted UConn when foul trouble slowed the starters. He delivered the extra pass that turned good looks into great ones.
Reed Jr. returns, and matters
Tarris Reed Jr. returned from an ankle injury and gave UConn a strong interior target. He scored 12, battled on defense, and hit late free throws. His presence steadied the rotation and let Dan Hurley play big without losing speed. The rim looked safer with him back.
Depth wins in December. UConn used fresh legs and multiple ball handlers to survive foul trouble and close late.
Florida fought, but miscues were fatal
The Gators were the more physical team for long stretches. They tracked down long rebounds and carved out put-backs. Their defense bothered UConn early in the second half. But the final three minutes told a harsher story.
- A live-ball turnover became an easy UConn score.
- A five-second inbound violation erased a chance to tie.
- Empty trips piled up while UConn hit free throws.
- Florida’s last look came under pressure and missed.
UConn’s guards handled traps, executed sideline outs, and stayed calm. Florida will see the film and winces will follow. The effort was strong. The details broke at the worst time.
What it means from here
This is more than a resume win. It is a reset of the recent history between these programs. Florida ended UConn’s run at a three-peat last spring. Tonight, UConn answered in a primetime building with a national audience and a late-game test.
For UConn, 9-1 with Reed Jr. healthy is a loud signal. The offense travels, the bench is reliable, and the backcourt has closing skill. The Huskies handled a minus-12 night on the glass and still won. That is the mark of a top-five team in December that can grow into March.
For Florida, 5-4 hides the scary part. The Gators are tough and athletic. The glass dominance is real. Clean up the late-game execution, and the profile changes quickly. The SEC grind will offer chances to prove it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who led UConn in scoring?
A: Solo Ball scored 19 points to lead the Huskies.
Q: What was the key team stat?
A: UConn shot 50 percent from the field, which helped offset Florida’s 40 to 28 rebounding edge.
Q: Did Tarris Reed Jr. play, and how did he look?
A: Yes. He returned from an ankle injury, scored 12, and hit clutch free throws late.
Q: What swung the game in the final minute?
A: Florida’s late turnover and a five-second violation, plus UConn’s steady free throw shooting.
Q: What are the teams’ records now?
A: UConn is 9-1. Florida is 5-4.
Conclusion
Revenge earned, not given. UConn survived Florida’s size and punished the mistakes that matter most. The Huskies leaned on shooting, depth, and late-game calm in a building that demands champions. December does not crown anyone, but tonight felt like a statement. UConn has layers. Florida has lessons. The rematch lived up to the name, and it left a mark.
