Iowa's NCAA Upset Sparks Florida Star's Return for Senior Season
Thomas Haugh walked off the floor in Tampa last March, his college career seemingly over after Iowa stunned Florida 73-72 in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. The Hawkeyes delivered the upset. The Gators went home early. Haugh figured he was headed to the NBA Draft.
He figured wrong.
Less than three months after that shocking loss to Iowa, Haugh is back for his senior season at Florida, motivated by unfinished business and a mindset he made clear on Tuesday.
“I think this year, we have the pressure, obviously, where we're probably going to be a top-three team when it comes out. Last year, we had the pressure of the national championship on our back. I think we have the same thing again. It's national championship or bust for this team, but we're mature enough.”
Iowa's Victory Changed the Equation
Florida entered last season's tournament as one of the favorites to win a national title. They had survived a brutal non-conference schedule, claimed the SEC regular-season championship, and possessed a roster built for a deep run. Then Iowa happened.
The Hawkeyes' 73-72 victory sent shockwaves through college basketball and sent Haugh into a month-long decision process about his future.
“I think last year, our team deserved to go farther. I think we had the squad to do it.”
Instead of declaring for the draft, Haugh started talking. He consulted his family. He spoke with his agent. He had a 45-minute phone call with Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, arranged through former Florida teammate Will Richard, now a Warriors rookie.
“He was telling me what he would do if he was in my shoes, and he was explaining how the NBA is becoming older and more experienced guys are coming in, and it's becoming a bigger thing.”
Green, for what it is worth, told Haugh he would return to school too.
Free Market Economics Behind the Decision
There was also a practical, financial side to Haugh's choice that speaks to how college athletics has changed. Name, Image, and Likeness deals have created a free market for college athletes, and Haugh stands to benefit significantly.
Florida head coach Todd Golden laid out the economics plainly after Haugh announced his return.
“Tommy has the ability to go to major brands, whether it be across Florida or to go nationwide, and be a part of marketing campaigns. He's obviously a stud kid, a good looking kid. He's gonna graduate. He's got connections and that longevity of being here on campus where he will be recognized nationally. If you're here at Florida, you can take advantage of that. If you are playing for the Pacers next season, are you going to be able to take advantage of that?”
According to the Associated Press' Mark Long, Haugh will make roughly $7 million in NIL deals this season at Florida. That figure exceeds what he likely would have earned annually as a low lottery pick in his rookie NBA contract. The number could grow as the season progresses.
“It's crazy, but it's a blessing. I just want to represent the University of Florida the best I can. They're investing that much in me, and I want to invest the same amount of time and practice and hard work back to the university.”
Family Advice Pointed Toward Return
Haugh's mother, Jennifer, also played a key role in the decision. She spoke with Cherie Clayton, mother of former Florida star Walter Clayton Jr., about her son's first NBA season. Clayton Jr. was traded midway through his rookie year despite being a first-round pick.
That conversation resonated with Haugh's mother.
“The NBA life is no joke. Like, you get traded any day of the week, you're not out there going and getting dinners with your guys every night, or like going on fun trips and stuff like that. It's a job.”
Haugh made his final decision after returning from a vacation to Hawaii with his girlfriend, during which he stayed off his phone and left family and coaches waiting. Once back, he moved quickly. He told teammate Alex Condon first, then informed head coach Todd Golden during a lunch meeting in Los Angeles.
“It was awesome. He came up, and he gave me a hug. Then I FaceTimed my parents, and my mom started crying.”
What It Means for Iowa and College Basketball
Haugh's return cements Florida as the likely preseason number one team in the country for the 2026-27 season. Alongside Haugh and Condon, the Gators retained star big man Rueben Chinyelu after he briefly entered the draft, return most of their core bench, and added guard Denzel Aberdeen from the transfer portal. Aberdeen is awaiting an NCAA decision on a waiver for a final year of eligibility.
For Iowa fans, the irony is rich. The Hawkeyes' tournament upset, one of the program's most memorable wins in recent years, directly fueled the motivation that brought Haugh back. Now Florida will enter next season with a roster designed to ensure that kind of loss never happens again.
Haugh, for his part, is embracing the expectations that come with his return and his team's talent.
“It's all been a blessing. It's kind of crazy with how it all went down. It still feels like a dream. That's the luxury of being here at the University of Florida.”
The Hawkeyes proved they could go toe-to-toe with the best last March. Next season, they may have to do it again against an even more motivated opponent.