If you’re a Gators fan, you’ve basically spent the last seven days glued to a screen. It’s been one of those weeks. Between the No. 19 men's basketball team trying to prove they belong in the Top 25 and the top-ranked gymnastics squad defending their dirt in the O'Dome, there was barely time to breathe.
So, let's get into it. Who did Florida play this week? The short answer: Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, Alabama, and Missouri.
But that doesn't really tell the whole story. The "week" started with a business trip to Norman, followed by a high-stakes showdown in Nashville, and a gymnastics "Friday Night Heights" clash that lived up to every bit of the hype.
The Midweek Statement: No. 19 Florida at Oklahoma
Tuesday night was all about the paint. Honestly, it was a clinic. Heading into Norman, there was some chatter about whether Florida's frontcourt could handle the road environment. They didn't just handle it; they owned it.
Florida beat Oklahoma 96–79. Thomas Haugh was the spark plug, dropping 21 points, but the real story was Rueben Chinyelu. The 6-foot-10 big man is a problem for the rest of the SEC. He put up 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, marking his ninth double-double of the season.
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The Gators outscored the Sooners 60–22 in the paint. That’s not a typo.
Breaking Down the Box Score
While the inside game was dominant, freshman Boogie Fland kept the perimeter honest with 15 points and 7 assists. The Gators shot 54% from the field, which is usually a recipe for a blowout. Oklahoma tried to make it a game with some hot shooting from Xzayvier Brown (24 points), but Florida’s 46–24 halftime lead was just too much to overcome.
Saturday Showdown: Florida at No. 10 Vanderbilt
If Tuesday was about dominance, Saturday was about survival. Florida played Vanderbilt at the historic (and weird) Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville on January 17.
Playing at Vandy is always a nightmare. The benches are on the baselines, the floor is raised, and the atmosphere feels like a high school gym on steroids. Coming off a three-game winning streak, the Gators needed to show they could win a "gritty" game against a Top 10 opponent.
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Todd Golden’s squad has been leaning heavily on Alex Condon and Alijah Arenas to navigate these SEC road swings. This matchup was a massive test for the Gators' NCAA Tournament resume. Winning in Nashville is hard; winning there when the Commodores are ranked in the Top 10 is a statement that echoes all the way to Selection Sunday.
Friday Night Heights: No. 1 Florida vs. No. 4 Alabama
While the basketball team was traveling, the O'Connell Center was shaking on Friday night. The No. 1 Florida gymnastics team hosted No. 4 Alabama in their SEC opener.
It was a nail-biter.
Florida narrowly defeated Alabama 197.425–197.275.
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Coach Jenny Rowland always says rankings don't matter, but when Bama comes to town, everyone knows what’s at stake. It came down to the very last routine. Skye Blakely stepped onto the floor with the meet on the line. She delivered, but it was actually the beam team that saved the night.
- The Beam: Florida’s only event win (49.475–49.175).
- The Stars: Victoria Nguyen and Selena Harris-Miranda were huge. Harris-Miranda tied for the vault title with a 9.925 and had the night’s highest beam score at 9.950.
- The Twist: For the first time since 2013, the Gators didn't use an all-arounder, showing just how much depth this 2026 roster actually has.
What’s Next for the Gators?
The gauntlet doesn't stop. If you're following the schedule, the women's basketball team is set to host Missouri on Sunday, January 18, at 2 p.m. EST. They’re looking to bounce back after a tough 0-5 start in SEC play, led by Liv McGill who is averaging a massive 23.2 points per game.
On the men's side, the focus shifts to a midweek home game against LSU. The O'Dome will be rocking again on Tuesday, January 20.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the SEC Standings: With the win over Oklahoma, the men's team moved to 3-1 in the conference. Keep an eye on the Tennessee vs. Kentucky results to see where UF sits in the race for a double-bye in the SEC Tournament.
- Gymnastics Tickets: If you’re in Gainesville, the Gators travel next but return soon. These meets are selling out fast, especially with the No. 1 ranking.
- Watch the Women's Game: Sunday’s matchup against Missouri is a "must-win" for morale. You can catch it on SEC Network+ or listen on the Florida Gators app.
The "Who did Florida play this week" question usually has a simple answer, but in 2026, the Gators are competing at such a high level across every sport that you really have to keep a calendar handy. It’s a good time to be in Orange and Blue.