TAMPA — Florida center Rueben Chinyelu led chants of “Oli!, Oli!” as Gators fans waited for an appearance from Gators’ 7-foot-9 cult hero Oliver Rioux — the only thing missing on a record-setting NCAA Tournament night.
Rioux’s dunk with 1:12 remaining put an exclamation point on a virtuoso performance as a crowd of 20,112 roared at Benchmark International Arena.
“It was big and a statement to the world for sure,” point guard Boogie Fland said.
Top-seeded Florida’s 114-55 opening-round bludgeoning of defenseless Prairie View was flawless and ruthless — and a reminder the Gators are ready to repeat as national champions.