Florida's sprawling non-conference schedule features 8 Sunshine State dates
The school announced the balance of the games the reigning national champion Gators will play outside the SEC.
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Many, including the Nov. 3 season-opener against Arizona in Las Vegas and Dec. 6 date at Duke, have been previously announced.
UF updated the schedule with six home games, highlighted by a Nov. 11 visit from Florida State. The Gators' other non-conference games features the home opener against North Florida Nov. 6, along with a matchup with Merrimack (Nov. 21). Florida then will have a nearly four-week stretch away from home before a Dec. 17 visit from Saint Francis to the O'Connell Center.
Colgate will visit Gainesville on Dec. 21 and UF will host Dartmouth on Dec. 29.
Todd Golden's squad also will play Miami Nov. 16 in Jacksonville and George Washington Dec. 13 in Sunrise during the annual Orange Bowl Classic. UF did not announce either game, but each has been widely reported.
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All told, the Gators will play 17 times in the state of Florida, including nine SEC games in Gainesville. While opponents have been announced, dates, times and television assignments have not.
Expected to be one of the nation's top teams, UF also could open NCAA Tournament play close to home. On March 20 and 22, Tampa's Amalie Arena will serves as one of eight first- and second-round host sites for the Big Dance.
Golden's team currently is participating in summer workouts with key transfer guards Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee, along with one of the nation's top returning front courts, led by 6-foot-11 junior Alex Condon and 6-foot-9 forward Thomas Haugh, who is projected as the No. 15 selection in the 2026 NBA Draft by The Athletic.
Condon, who withdrew from the NBA draft in late May to return for a third college season, was slotted No. 29 in the publication's mock draft.
Florida Men's Basketball 2025-26 Nonconference Schedule
Date, Opponent, Site
Nov. 3: Arizona, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
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Nov. 6: North Florida, O'Connell Center
Nov. 11: Florida State, O'Connell Center
Nov. 16: Miami, Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville
Nov. 21: Merrimack, O'Connell Center
Nov. 27-28: TCU/Providence/Wisconsin, Jenny Craig Pavilion, San Diego
Dec. 2: Duke, Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, N.C.
Dec. 9: UConn, Madison Square Garden, New York City
Dec. 13: George Washington, Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
Dec. 17: Saint Francis, O'Connell Center
Dec. 21: Colgate, O'Connell Center
Dec. 29: Dartmouth, O'Connell Center
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
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