TAMPA, Fla. — Fresh off a historic First Four victory, the Prairie View A&M men's basketball team has arrived in Tampa and now turns its focus to a marquee first-round matchup against the top-seeded Florida Gators on Friday night inside the Benchmark International Arena.
Tip-off is set for 9:25 p.m. ET as the Panthers look to carry momentum from their 67-55 win over the Lehigh Mountain Hawks into the program's next NCAA Tournament test.
This marks the second meeting in school history between Prairie View A&M and Florida, and notably, the first time the Panthers have advanced past the First Four, adding another milestone to an already historic season.
Panthers Riding Momentum
Prairie View A&M (SWAC Champions) continues to lean on one of the most dynamic scorers in the country in Dontae Horne. The senior guard leads the Panthers with 20.4 points per game, totaling 733 points on the season while shooting nearly 80% from the free-throw line.
Horne is complemented by a strong supporting cast:
The Panthers' balanced attack and defensive pressure were on full display in Dayton, where they controlled the tempo and executed down the stretch to secure the program's first-ever First Four win.
Scouting the Gators
Top-seeded Florida enters the matchup with a deep and versatile roster, led by forward Thomas Haugh, who averages 17.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game
while shooting 46% from the field.
The Gators feature multiple double-figure scorers:
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Alex Condon – 15.0 PPG, 7.7 RPG
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Boogie Fland – 11.6 PPG, 58 assists
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Xaivian Lee – 11.5 PPG, 139 assists
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Rueben Chinyelu – 11.2 PPG, 11.5 RPG (dominant inside presence)
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Urban Klavzar – 40.2% from beyond the arc
Florida's size and rebounding, particularly with Chinyelu controlling the paint, present a significant challenge for the Panthers.
Matchup to Watch
The battle between Prairie View's backcourt, led by Horne and Joseph, and Florida's playmakers could determine the pace of the game. If the Panthers can establish rhythm offensively while limiting second-chance opportunities, they'll give themselves a chance to stay competitive deep into the contest.
By the Numbers
- Prairie View A&M averages four double-figure scorers
- Florida boasts five players averaging 9+ points per game
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Panthers: 20+ wins, SWAC Tournament Champions
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Gators: No. 1 seed with a balanced offensive attack and strong interior presence
Historic Opportunity
Friday night presents another opportunity for Prairie View A&M to continue rewriting its postseason story. After breaking through in the First Four, the Panthers now look to secure the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament first-round victory against one of college basketball's premier programs.
Tip-off: 9:25 p.m. ET
Location: Tampa, Fla.
The stage is set — and the Panthers are ready.
