The Gators will face Auburn for the second time this year in the opening round of the SEC Tournament. UF will look to defeat the Tigers and snap their current three game losing streak on Wednesday evening inside Bon Secours.
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GREENVILLE, S.C.— Florida is scheduled to take on Auburn in the fourth matchup of the SEC Tournament’s opening round on Wednesday night. Tip-off is slated for 8:30 p.m. ET at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
The Gators enter the tournament as the No. 11 seed, while Auburn holds the No. 14 spot. Fans can catch the action live on SEC Network.
Auburn (12-17, 3-13 SEC)
- Date: Wed., Mar. 5
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- Site: Bon Secours Wellness Arena
- Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM / 850 AM
- Watch: SECN
- Live stats: Statbroadcast
What a Florida Victory Would Achieve:
- Mark Florida’s first postseason win over Auburn since 2021
- Secure the Gators’ first neutral-site victory of the 2024–25 season
- Extend Florida’s streak of SEC Tournament wins to two consecutive years
- Improve UF’s conference record to 6-11
- Update the program’s all-time SEC record to 232-336
- Give Coach Kelly Rae Finley her 26th SEC win at the helm of the Gators
- Bring Florida’s February 2025 record to 4-5
- End a three-game losing streak for UF
- Register Florida’s third SEC postseason win over the past two seasons
TALE OF THE TAPE:
| Florida | Auburn | |
|---|---|---|
| 75.4 | PPG | 68.3 |
| 71.4 | OPP PPG | 64.8 |
| 4.1 | SCORING MARGIN | 3.4 |
| 45.8 | FG % | 44.4 |
| 41 | OPP FG% | 43.7 |
| 31.9 | 3 FG% | 32.3 |
| 72.2 | FT % | 68.6 |
| 40.1 | REBOUNDS PG | 33.4 |
| 14.4 | ASSISTS PG | 14.2 |
| 17.4 | TURNOVERS PG | 17 |
| 7.1 | STEALS PG | 9 |
| 3.7 | BLOCKS PG | 3 |
Series Overview: Florida vs. Auburn
Auburn holds a 32-24 advantage in the all-time series against Florida. The Gators enter this matchup aiming to halt a three-game slide against the Tigers, a stretch that began on January 30, 2023 and extended through January 26, 2025.
Historical Matchups Between the Gators and Tigers
Florida and Auburn have faced off 56 times since their first meeting in 1978. The rivalry has remained consistent over the years, with 23 games played in Gainesville, another 23 in Auburn, and 10 held at neutral venues.
Wednesday’s game marks Florida’s first SEC Tournament encounter with Auburn since 2021, when the Gators secured a 69-62 win in the opening round. Their most recent meeting came in January 2025, with Florida falling 74-51 on the road in Auburn.
PROJECTED FLORIDA STARTERS:
| Florida | No. | Height | Position | Class | Hometown/Previous School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexia Dizeko | 9 | 5-11 | F | Sr. | Sion, Switzerland |
| Laila Reynolds | 13 | 6-1 | G | So. | PG County, MD |
| Jeriah Warren | 20 | 6-0 | G | Sr. | Lake Charles, LA |
| Liv McGill | 23 | 5-9 | G | Fr. | Minneapolis, MN |
| Ra Shaya Kyle | 24 | 6-6 | C | Sr. | Marion, Ind. / Purdue |
FLORIDA'S LAST TIME OUT:
Florida’s last appearance on the court came Sunday, March 2, in a 72-46 road defeat to No. 1 Texas. Ra Shaya Kyle led the Gators offensively with 12 points, shooting a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line. She was the only Florida player to reach double figures, as the team was held to a season-low 46 points.
On the defensive end, freshman Liv McGill stood out by grabbing seven rebounds, collecting three steals, and dishing out four assists. Despite the final score, Florida managed to win the battle on the boards, outrebounding the top-ranked Longhorns 40-33.
Gator Quick Hits: By the Numbers
- Florida is ranked No. 6 in the SEC and No. 34 in the NCAA with a 45.8 field goal percentage
- UF has four players averaging in double digits
- McGill (16.2) Kyle (14.6), Jeriah Warren (11.8), and Laila Reynolds (10.5)
- McGill and Kyle are in the SEC's top 20 for scoring
- McGill at No. 12 (16.2), and Kyle at No. 20 (14.7)
- McGill is the only freshman in the country with a triple-double this season
- Kyle is No. 26 in the country and No. 3 in the SEC for double-doubles with 13
- McGill is the No. 1 freshman in the NCAA for assists
- Total assists (151) and assists per game (5.0)
- Kyle is No. 6 in the SEC for rebounds per game (8.7)
- UF is No. 3 in SEC play for defensive rebound percentage (70.0)
- Florida is undefeated this season when they hold their opponent to 69 points or less
- The Gators have secured 20+ points in 52 of 122 quarters played this season
- Kyle is No. 10 in the NCAA and No. 3 in the SEC with a field goal percentage of 60.4
- Kyle is No. 5 in the SEC for total rebounds in the 2024-25 season with 261
- Alexia Gassett leads Florida in total blocks with 23 on the season
- Liv McGill has hit double figures in 27 of her 30 outings at UF
- UF is currently on a three-game losing streak having played back-to-back-to back top-15 teams
PROJECTED AUBURN STARTERS:
| Auburn | No. | Height | Position | Class | Hometown/Previous School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeYona Gaston | 5 | 6-2 | F | Gr. | Houston, Texas / Texas |
| Taylen Collins | 14 | 6-1 | F | Gr. | Muldrow, Okla. / Oklahoma State |
| Yuting Deng | 9 | 6-0 | G | Fr. | Hunan Province, China |
| Celia Sumbane | 1 | 6-2 | F | Sr. | Maputo, Mozambique |
| Mar'shaun Bostic | 12 | 5-8 | G | Sr. | St. Louis, Mo. / Vashon HS |
Auburn Quick Hits: Key Stats and Standouts
- Auburn ranks No. 3 in the SEC for rebounding defense, totaling 927 boards and averaging 31.9 per game
- The Tigers sit at No. 7 in the conference for scoring defense, allowing 64.8 points per game
- Auburn is No. 8 in the SEC for steals, averaging 9.0 per game with a total of 261
- Aicha Coulibaly Gaston ranks No. 3 in the SEC for scoring, averaging 22.5 points per game
- Gaston also leads Auburn in rebounding and ranks No. 10 in the SEC, averaging 7.2 boards per game
- Mar’shaun Bostic is No. 11 nationally and No. 3 in the SEC for total assists, with 173
- Bostic ranks No. 7 in the SEC for steals, collecting 70 this season
- Gaston is No. 5 in the SEC for field goal percentage, shooting 55.4%
- Yuting Deng leads Auburn in three-point shooting, hitting 36.8% from beyond the arc (25-of-68)
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