The Florida Gators defeated the 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.
Reserve center Olivier Rioux entered the game with about two minutes remaining. The 20-year-old Canadian scored his first career NCAA tournament points on a put-back dunk.[1]
Rioux, listed at 7-foot-8 by Florida,[1] stood a full foot taller than Prairie View A&M forward Hassane Diallo, who measures 6-foot-10.[2] Video of Diallo looking up at Rioux drew attention online.
Rioux has seen limited action during the season while developing his game. Florida fans have chanted his name late in lopsided victories to urge head coach Todd Golden to insert him.
Prairie View A&M, a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, faced No. 1 seed Florida in the matchup.
Florida advanced to the second round, scheduled for Sunday.
Sources
- University of Florida Athletics
Men's Basketball Roster: Olivier Rioux
Accessed October 2024
https://floridagators.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/olivier-rioux/16798 - Prairie View A&M University Athletics
Men's Basketball Roster: Hassane Diallo
Accessed October 2024
https://pvpanthers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/hassane-diallo/2235
