The Florida Gators defeated the No. 16 seed Prairie View A&M Panthers 114-55 in a first-round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Division I basketball tournament on March 20, 2026, at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida.

Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 center for the Gators and the tallest player in college basketball history, entered the game late in the second half.[1] The 20-year-old Canadian drew attention as he towered over Prairie View A&M forward Hassane Diallo, listed at 6-foot-8.[2]

Rioux, who previously held the Guinness World Record as the tallest teenager, has seen limited action this season while developing his game.[1] He has quickly become a fan favorite, with Florida crowds chanting his name—"Oli! Oli!"—late in lopsided victories to urge coach Todd Golden to insert him.

Rioux checked in with about two minutes remaining and scored his first career NCAA tournament points on a put-back dunk, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Prairie View A&M trailed by 30 points when coach Byron Smith was asked during a TNT broadcast interview what it would take to slow Florida. "We need some help from the Lord," Smith replied.

The defending champion Gators advanced to the second round, where they face the No. 9 seed Iowa on Sunday at 7:10 p.m. ET.

Sources

1. Wikipedia. "Olivier Rioux." Accessed October 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivier_Rioux
2. Prairie View A&M University Athletics. "Hassane Diallo." 2024. https://pvpanthers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/hassane-diallo/1414