Center Micah Handlogten to Return to Florida Lineup vs. Merrimack

After missing the greater portion of the last three contests with an ankle injury, Gators center Micah Handlogten will be available and is expected to be incorporated into the Florida lineup against the Merrimack Warriors on Tuesday, a team spokesperson confirmed to All Gators.

Florida will look to him off the bench, as they will Zyon Pullin as he deals with shoulder soreness from a fall against Wake Forest.

Walter Clayton Jr., Riley Kugel, Will Richard, Thomas Haugh and Tyrese Samuel will occupy spots in Gators the starting five.

Handlogten went down with the hurt in the first minute of Florida's NIT Season Tip-Off matchup with Pittsburgh on Nov. 22. 

In each of the ensuing contests — against Baylor and Wake Forest, respectively — Handlogten was listed as questionable contingent on how he felt in pregame warmups. He was unable to go in both.

Now, nearly a week after UF's last action, head coach Todd Golden expressed optimism regarding his return against Merrimack when he addressed local media on Monday.

"Getting close," Golden shared. "I think an outside chance for tomorrow night, we’ll see how practice goes today, but feel good about this weekend, for sure. Obviously, we want him back for tomorrow night, so we want to see him in practice.”

In games he's completed, Handlogten's proved valuable for the Gators on the boards, averaging a team-leading 8.5 per game to pair with 10 points per game.

However, in his absence, Handlogten's fortitude on the defensive end has been evident as Florida's struggled to defend at times, namely on shooter beyond the arc.

The unit will look to regain its footing in that area against a Warriors team that attempts 21 three-point attempts per game with Handlogten — accounting for one block per outing — back in the fold.

Tip-off for Florida's contest against Merrimack is set for 7 p.m. ET.