Princeton transfer Xaivian Lee 

"Phenomenal," Fland said of Lee’s performance. "He did everything. He controlled the pace of the game, controlled us on offense and made plays on defense. It was an all-around game for everyone, and him."

Lee added: "Boogie didn't play, so I kind of had to take on a little more responsibility, but I thought we played pretty good overall. Definitely, stuff to work on, but I thought it's always good to play against another top team and see how we stack up against a talented roster."

That sets the stage for the Gators, who enter the 2025-26 season ranked No. 3 nationally, to reset their backcourt. The question now is how the duo will perform with Fland healthy and back at point guard, alongside Lee at shooting guard. Together again. Facing another marquee opponent in the 13th-ranked Arizona Wildcats. On the neutral floor of T-Mobile Arena on The Strip, in college basketball’s biggest season-opening matchup Monday night.

[Read senior writer Chris Harry's "Pregame Stuff" setup here]

Gator Nation, along with college basketball fans, will be eager to see how the new Fland/Lee tandem – successors to the unforgettable Walter Clayton Jr. and Alijah Martin pairing – blends with what is arguably the best returning frontcourt in the country. All under the spotlight and pressure that comes with being the reigning NCAA champions.

Florida’s coach is looking for answers, too.

"It's a new team," said Golden, now 40, who last April became the youngest head coach since Jim Valvano in 1983 to win a national championship. "We have a great kind of comfort blanket [with] the returning front court, and we have our new guys on the perimeter. They've played pretty well so far, but Monday night's a new challenge. I've never been under the lights with those guys yet, so we'll see what that looks like."

The Gators looked sharp Saturday morning after flying cross-country, holding a spirited practice at UNLV’s facility. They followed up Sunday afternoon with another session at T-Mobile Arena, preparing to face an Arizona team returning three starters from last year’s Sweet Sixteen squad and bolstered by a top-five freshman class featuring two McDonald’s All Americans.

Florida, of course, has plenty of championship experience in its frontcourt with Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Micah Handlogten, and Rueben Chinyelu. That naturally shifts the spotlight onto the newcomers, Fland and Lee.

Fland, a 6-3, 185-pound former McDonald’s All American from Bronx, New York, averaged 13.5 points on 38% shooting overall and 34% from 3-point range, along with 5.1 assists and nearly two steals per game during an injury-shortened freshman season at Arkansas. Initially planning to enter the NBA Draft, he reconsidered during the evaluation process and became a late transfer portal addition. Florida seized the opportunity.

"I wasn't planning on coming back to college, but then I met with Coach Golden and it kind of changed my mind," Fland said.

He soon connected with Lee, who averaged 16.9 points, shot 44% overall and 37% from deep, while adding 5.5 assists in his final season at Princeton, where he was the focal point of opposing defenses. At Florida, Lee is simply another skilled weapon in a deep rotation.

"I was looking forward to playing off the ball," Lee said.

Effectively, Florida will feature two point guards in the backcourt.

"We want them to play free," … "They've had enough time to gel. The chemistry is there. They communicate well together. Now, it's a matter of going out and doing it against somebody else."

Both guards ranked among the nation’s leaders in assist-to-turnover ratio, and when combined with UF’s expected dominance on the offensive glass, the result should be one of the most efficient offenses in the country.

It’s worth noting that the Gators finished No. 2 nationally in offensive efficiency last season, setting a high standard to meet.

"I feel like there's a lot of people out there questioning [the new backcourt] or whatever, but I think we're going to be pretty good," Lee said. "Everybody talks about our front court. I think our backcourt is pretty good, as well, and I'm excited to just go out there and show that. I think we have good chemistry on and off the court, and I think it will show when we play."

Arkansas transfer Boogie Fland

Fland, who underwent hernia surgery during the summer and completed an impressive rehab, is expected to be one of the fastest players in the league – perhaps even nationally. Beyond his speed, he is also regarded as an elite on-ball defender, using his length and quickness to disrupt opponents. It’s a part of his overall game that often goes underappreciated.

"Just being competitive and loving the game," Fland said of his defensive mindset. "I feel like some people say they love the game, but don't play both sides. That's just my take on it."

With their debut, the public will now form its opinion of the new-look Gators, who, as the most recent national champions, will be circled as a marquee matchup on every opponent’s schedule.

Golden is confident that his roster – both the returning veterans and the newcomers – is prepared for the challenge.

"I think our team is pretty well-rounded and has a really good understanding what it takes to be good," Golden said. "I think our role allocation is in a good spot. I imagine there is going to be a [question] or two that pops up. Maybe it's Monday night, maybe it's the first couple weeks of the season that we're like, 'All right, we need to figure this issue out to be the best we can be.' "

Email senior writer Chris Harry at chrish@gators.ufl.edu. Find his story archives here.