Todd Golden sat down with Dan and didn't hold back. The Florida basketball coach breaks down how the early NCAA exit turned into a roster-building win, what it took to bring Tommy, Ruben, and Condo back, and why he believes the Gators are walking into 2026-27 with the deepest roster in college basketball.
In This Interview:
🏀 The Iowa loss that helped them — Golden explains how the early exit gave Tommy Haugh, Ruben Chinua, and Alex Condon a reason to come back for their senior seasons
🏀 The Denzel Aberdeen situation — already re-enrolled and working on his undergrad degree; Florida believes he has a strong NCAA case for an extra year of eligibility after playing only ~40 minutes his freshman year before transferring to Kentucky
🏀 Navigating the NBA process — how Golden maintains open communication with players through the draft evaluation window and uses Florida's culture, education, and NIL/Rev Share as the closer
🏀 Preseason No. 1 pressure — "We welcome it at this point" — Golden on coaching with a target on their back and why this group is ready
🏀 Keeping the depth bought in — CJ Ingram and Alex Lloyd both had conversations before Tommy announced his return; Golden credits his staff's honesty and the players' maturity
🏀 Two European recruits — Arturas Butajevas, a decorated Lithuanian big with Tommy/Condo upside, and Domen Petrovic, a 22-year-old 6'8" Slovenian shooter coming off his best pro season — "Slovenian brothers" with Herby
🏀 NCAA Tournament expanding to 76 — "If I was still at San Francisco, I'd be doing cartwheels" — but Golden says Florida will play at a level where it won't affect them much
🏀 Playing around Florida — Tampa's Benchmark International, Jacksonville, South Florida; "we have the strongest brand in the state right now"
🏀 Jon Sumrall — Golden talked to him Thanksgiving morning as the hire was coming together; raves about his mentality, his openness with fans, and his understanding of what it takes to succeed at Florida
🏀 What he's listening to — going country lately: Morgan Wallen, Ella Langley — "my kids are 10 and 8, I can't listen to what I used to"
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