Florida Head Coach Todd Golden Remains Confident Against Alabama Despite Controversial Return of Former G League Center
Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden expressed unwavering confidence ahead of Sunday’s high-stakes matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide, dismissing the potential impact of former NBA G League player Charles Bediako joining the opposing roster. During his weekly “Gator Talk” radio appearance on Thursday, Golden addressed the challenge directly, declaring, “We’re going to beat ’em anyway. If he plays, we’ll beat ’em anyway.”
The contest between No. 19 Florida and No. 23 Alabama has gained additional scrutiny due to Bediako’s unprecedented mid-season return. The 7-foot center, who previously played for Alabama from 2021 to 2023, went undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft and spent the subsequent two and a half seasons playing professionally in the G League for affiliates of the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, and Detroit Pistons. His sudden eligibility was secured last week after a Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing the NCAA from enforcing rules that would typically bar a professional from returning to college competition.
Golden offered a sharp critique of the legal process that facilitated Bediako’s clearance. “They were able to finagle the situation where they got a judge in Alabama who is actually a donor at Alabama to write a temporary restraining order to let this guy play games at Alabama,” Golden stated. Although he noted the potential conflict of interest regarding the judge, Golden clarified that he does not blame Alabama head coach Nate Oats for leveraging the legal system to bolster his squad.
Despite the Florida coach’s bold assertions, the Gators face significant tactical objections on the court. Bediako has proven to be an immediate asset for the Crimson Tide, scoring 13 points off the bench in his debut against Tennessee and contributing 14 points as a starter against Missouri. His professional experience and physical dominance in the paint introduce a variable that Florida has not had to prepare for in previous scouting reports. Furthermore, while confident declarations are common in fan-centric radio environments, executing a victory in Tuscaloosa against a roster reinforced by a professional veteran presents a formidable challenge. The Gators must now validate their coach’s words against an Alabama team that has successfully reintegrated a key piece of their past success.
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