Even with more time in the summer for practice and increased opportunities for exhibition games sometimes the first game of the season is going to look like just that, and this was the case between Florida and Miami but it was the Gators who were able to hit enough shots and stay connected enough on defense to come away with a 77-67 win to open the season. Miami, ranked #14th to start the season, is built similarly to the Gators with a ton of heavy frontcourt bodies so you knew it was going to be a battle of physicality and the game was just that with both teams taking turns showing dominance, but Florida’s ability to capitalize on Miami’s mistakes was much greater than the other way around which was key in the Gator victory.