Todd Golden and the Florida Gators are looking to defend their crown after capturing the 2025 national title. The path back to March glory starts early with a non-conference schedule filled with high-level competition, historic venues, and plenty of national attention. From Las Vegas to New York City, Florida’s road to a repeat will be anything but easy.
Monday, November 3 – vs. Arizona (Las Vegas)
Florida opens the new season under the bright lights of Las Vegas against Arizona. It’s a heavyweight battle right out of the gate, featuring two programs with championship expectations. This matchup should set the tone for the Gators’ title defense and give Golden’s roster an early test against elite size and pace.
Thursday, November 6 – vs. North Florida (Gainesville)
After the Vegas trip, Florida returns home for a more manageable contest against in-state opponent North Florida. It’s a good opportunity for fans to celebrate the banner unveiling at the O’Connell Center and for the Gators to showcase their depth.
Tuesday, November 11 – vs. Florida State (Gainesville)
The annual rivalry with Florida State always carries extra energy. The Seminoles are rebuilding but will not back down in Gainesville. Rivalry bragging rights and recruiting relevance in the state make this one more meaningful than the records suggest.
Sunday, November 16 – vs. Miami (Jacksonville)
Florida’s third straight in-state matchup takes them to Jacksonville to face Miami. The Hurricanes have a new coach and a reworked roster, giving Florida a chance to test themselves against a program that has consistently been strong in recent years.
Friday, November 21 – vs. Merrimack (Gainesville)
Before Thanksgiving break, the Gators host Merrimack in what should be a tune-up game. Expect younger players and bench contributors to get key minutes as Florida fine-tunes its rotation.
Thursday, November 27 – vs. TCU (San Diego)
The Gators head west for a Thanksgiving weekend showcase in San Diego. Facing a tough TCU squad, Florida will get an early look at another potential tournament-caliber opponent from the Big 12.
Friday, November 28 – vs. Providence or Wisconsin (San Diego)
The second game of the San Diego trip will bring either Providence from the Big East or Wisconsin from the Big Ten. Both programs are disciplined and physical, creating a demanding back-to-back stretch that could reveal the Gators’ conditioning and composure.
Tuesday, December 2 – at Duke (Durham)
A trip to Cameron Indoor Stadium is always special. Florida will take on a Duke team coming off a Final Four run, creating a can’t-miss early-season showdown. The Blue Devils may be younger, but playing in Durham always provides one of college basketball’s toughest environments.
Tuesday, December 9 – vs. UConn (New York City)
The Gators and Huskies headline the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. Between Florida, UConn, and Duke, three of the last NCAA champions will share the same floor in one of December’s marquee events.
Saturday, December 13 – vs. George Washington (Sunrise)
Florida returns to South Florida to face George Washington in Sunrise. Playing in the home of the NHL’s Florida Panthers gives the Gators another neutral-site crowd, but the energy will still lean heavily orange and blue.
Wednesday, December 17 – vs. Saint Francis (Gainesville)
A return home against Saint Francis offers a lighter matchup and a chance to reset before the holiday stretch.
Sunday, December 21 – vs. Colgate (Gainesville)
The Raiders are a consistent tournament team and could provide a sneaky challenge if Florida looks ahead.
Monday, December 29 – vs. Dartmouth (Gainesville)
The final non-conference contest before SEC play should allow the Gators to tighten up the details and enter league action with momentum.
Florida’s non-conference schedule combines power programs, historic venues, and rivalry matchups, ensuring the defending champions are tested long before the SEC grind begins. With several marquee games and national TV spots, Todd Golden’s team will spend the first two months proving their title defense is no fluke.