Florida Gators guard Bennett Andersen doesn’t get many media interviews, but he certainly went viral thanks to Talia Baia.
Andersen went viral on social media during the Sweet 16, not because he scored his second field goal of the year in Thursday night’s win against Maryland, but because of his interview with a student radio reporter afterward.
Throughout their conversation, Andersen seemed distracted talking to ESPN Gainesville’s Talia Baia in the locker room.
Baia, who is studying journalism and communications at Florida, is a student reporter at ESPN 98.1.
“First of all, congrats on your bucket, that was huge,” Baia said. “I just want to know how was the trip here, and how was the energy going into that game?”
“Trip’s been awesome, energy was good,” Andersen said.
Caught up with Bennett “Buckets” Anderson after the game on what he looks forward to in the Elite 8!
— Talia Baia (@talia_baia) March 28, 2025
“Hopefully these guys take care of business so I can play again, hopefully I can get another bucket” pic.twitter.com/bo31tHqabg
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Bennett Andersen might’ve started out as the story, but focus would soon shift to Talia Baia.
“Bros speechless (I’d be too),” one fan said.
Bros speechless (I’d be too)
— Brick (@marlbororedddss) March 28, 2025
“He’s attracted to you. If you’re not taken, you should give him a chance 😊,” one fan said of Talia Baia.
He’s attracted to you. If you’re not taken, you should give him a chance 😊
— That HVAC Tech (@thatHVACtech) March 31, 2025
“take her out!” another fan added.
take her out!
— Tom Daly (@TomDalyUSA) March 31, 2025
“he was looking at her like she was the moon and stars 🤣,” a fourth fan stated.
he was looking at her like she was the moon and stars 🤣
— Outchea99 (@wally_huggins) March 29, 2025
One last fan added: “@talia_baia your the goat!”
@talia_baia your the goat!
— CTESPN CHICAGO (@CTESPNCHICAGO1) March 29, 2025
College Basketball Reporter Talia Baia Has Quite The Fan Base Online
Florida Gators guard Bennett Andersen was wide-eyed in an interview with ESPN Gainesville’s Talia Baia.
Baia initially congratulated the Gators hero for making a two-pointer in the victory and helping his team advance to the Elite Eight stage.
The station’s student reporter, who studies in Florida’s journalism and communication program, has gained quite the following.
Baia has almost 20,000 followers on Instagram alone.
On X, she has another 12,000 followers.
