George Washington vs #18 Florida Preview

Revolutionaries vs Gators

When: Saturday, December 13th, at 2:30 p.m.

Where: Amerant Bank Stadium, Sunrise, FL

TV: ESPN 2

Keep An Eye on: 

Rebounding: always a decisive factor, takes on even greater importance for George Washington as it heads to Gainesville to face the defending national champion Florida Gators. Florida enters the matchup ranked second in Division I in rebounds per game at 46.8, overwhelming opponents with depth, size, and physicality on the glass. The Gators are anchored by 6’11” reserve center Rueben Chinyelu, who leads the team and the SEC at 11.2 rebounds per game, alongside starting center Alex Condon at 9.0 boards per contest. Projected first-round pick Thomas Haugh (7.0 rpg) adds athleticism and activity from the forward spot, while 7’1” reserve Micah Handlogten contributes 6.3 rebounds per game. Even in the backcourt, guard Xaivian Lee chips in nearly five rebounds a night, underscoring Florida’s collective commitment to controlling the paint.

For George Washington, rebounding must be a team effort. Center Rafael Castro, the Buff & Blue’s leading rebounder at 7.5 per game, cannot be left to battle Florida’s frontcourt alone. Support from Luke Hunger (4.9 rpg), Tyrone Marshall Jr. (4.9 rpg), Garrett Johnson (5.0 rpg), and Bubu Benjamin (3.3 rpg) will be essential to staying competitive on the glass. If GW can hold its own in the rebounding battle, it can limit Florida’s second-chance opportunities and slow the Gators’ transition attack—two areas they rely on heavily to offset inconsistent perimeter shooting. Winning or even narrowing the margin on the boards could be the swing factor in keeping this road test within reach.

Backcourt Battle: between George Washington and Florida figures to be the defining factor in determining who controls the game and ultimately comes away with a victory this afternoon. GW’s guard rotation—floor general Christian Jones, sharpshooter Trey Autry, shifty scorer Tre Dinkins, and versatile playmaker Jean Aranguren—each bring unique skill sets, but all are vital to the Revolutionaries’ ability to execute consistently on both ends of the floor. Together, they face a talented but still-searching Florida backcourt of Boogie Fland, Xaivian Lee, and Urban Klavžar, a group that has shown flashes of high-level ability despite uneven production early in the season.

From an efficiency standpoint, the numbers highlight why this matchup tilts toward guard play as the swing factor. Dinkins (42.4%) and Autry (40.9%) pace GW from three-point range, with Jones (33.3%) and Aranguren (31.3%) providing additional spacing. Florida, by contrast, has struggled from deep outside of Klavžar, who leads the Gators at 36.7 percent, while Fland and Lee are shooting just 23.8 and 20.3 percent, respectively. Add in the broader team metrics—GW averaging 16.1 assists (94th nationally) and 12.8 turnovers (234th), compared to Florida’s 14.8 assists (174th) and 14.1 turnovers (302nd)—and it becomes clear that whichever backcourt plays with greater efficiency, poise, and ball security will likely tip the scales in what should be a tightly contested matchup.