HotBasketballTake: No. 16 Florida hosts Auburn in high-stakes rematch of 2025 Final Four

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Saturday’s matchup between No. 16 Florida and Auburn (3 p.m. CT, ESPN) carries high-stakes implications and no shortage of storylines, ranging from coaching lineage to a rematch of one of last season’s biggest games.

Coaching ties run deep

Florida head coach Todd Golden and Auburn’s interim coach Steven Pearl worked together more than a decade ago on Bruce Pearl’s Auburn staff—Golden as director of basketball operations and Steven Pearl as an assistant strength coach. The two have remained close since, having played together at the 2005 Maccabiah Games and kept in touch regularly, including texting and FaceTiming during the week leading up to this matchup.

Steven Pearl took over as Auburn’s interim head coach just three weeks before the season began, following the abrupt retirement of his father, Bruce Pearl. Golden has credited the elder Pearl for playing a key role in his coaching career and supporting his hire at Florida.

Final Four flashback

This is the first meeting between the programs since last season’s Final Four, where Florida defeated then-No. 1 Auburn 79–73 in San Antonio to advance to the national championship game. The Gators went on to win the title.

Despite the recent history, both teams look different. Auburn guard Tahaad Pettiford is the only returning rotational player from last year’s squad. Florida’s roster also turned over but retained more production, including standout forward Thomas Haugh and junior center Rueben Chinyelu.

Rebounding will be critical

Auburn coach Steven Pearl has identified one key to the game: rebounding. Florida leads the nation in rebounding margin (+15.8) and offensive boards per game, anchored by Chinyelu, who is averaging 12.0 points and 11.2 rebounds. He’s on pace to become Florida’s first player since 1976 to average a double-double over a full season.

In preparation for Florida’s physicality, Pearl has instructed his players that any missed box-outs will result in immediate substitutions.

Auburn’s Gainesville drought

Auburn is seeking its first win at Florida since 1996. The Tigers have lost 15 straight games in Gainesville and enter Saturday with a 3–3 record in SEC play. Florida, 5–1 in the conference, is riding a five-game winning streak and is tied for first place.

Since defeating Florida in the 2024 SEC Tournament championship game (86–67), Auburn has lost back-to-back meetings to the Gators:

• Feb. 8, 2025: Florida beat then-No. 1 Auburn 90–81 in Auburn.
• April 5, 2025: Florida eliminated Auburn 79–73 in the Final Four.

Key matchup: Hall vs. Haugh

Auburn forward Keyshawn Hall leads the team with 20.1 points per game and leads the nation in free throws made. Much of Auburn’s offense flows through his ability to get downhill and draw contact. Florida’s Haugh, a 6-foot-9 junior averaging 16.9 points, will likely be tasked with defending Hall and limiting his free-throw attempts.