Florida Basketball’s 2025-26 Non-Conference Schedule Revealed: Which Surprise Matchups Will Shake Up the Season?

Just weeks after hoisting their third national basketball championship in San Antonio, the Florida Gators are already charting their path back to the top. With the 2025-26 non-conference schedule taking shape, the stage is set for a thrilling season opener in Vegas against Arizona — a clash that rekindles a decade-old rivalry and promises sparks on the hardwood. Not long after, the Gators will test their mettle against UConn at the iconic Jimmy V Classic in Madison Square Garden, pitting two recent championship-winning coaches against each other in a battle of titans. And that’s just the start. Florida’s campaign also includes a competitive Thanksgiving weekend tournament in San Diego that could set the tone for what fans hope will be another storied run. The momentum is palpable — the stakes enormous — and the Gators aren’t just planning to participate; they’re gunning to defend their crown. LEARN MORE

According to two reports from Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, the Florida Gators are finalizing a deal to open the season on Nov. 3 in Las Vegas against Arizona and will face UConn on Dec. 9 at the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York City.Less than a month since Florida basketball celebrated its third national title in school history in San Antonio, UF’s plans to defend the crown have already taken shape with the formation of its 2025-26 non-conference schedule.Arizona, under fifth-year coach Tommy Lloyd, is coming off a 24-13 season that ended with a Sweet 16 loss to Duke last March. Florida is 2-2 all-time against the Wildcats. It would be the first meeting between the two schools since Dec 15, 2012, a game that Arizona won 65-64 at the McKale Center in Tuscon, Ariz.

The Florida-Arizona matchup would be part of a doubleheader that includes Villanova facing BYU, per Rothstein. Florida and UConn would meet in the Jimmy V doubleheader that includes Clemson facing BYU.

Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1

Florida and UConn would be a rematch of its Round of 32 game in Raleigh, N.C., which UF won 77-75 by rallying from down six points in the second half. The Gators are 2-5 all-time against the Huskies. The game would pit the two coaches who have guided their schools to the last three national titles, Dan Hurley at UConn (2023, 2024) against Todd Golden at Florida (2025).

Florida also is slated to play in the 2025 Rady Children’s Invitational in San Diego, Calif., over Thanksgiving weekend on Nov. 27-28, playing two games in a field that includes Wisconsin, TCU and Providence. Matchups and times for the event will be announced at a later date.