Analyzing Florida basketball toughest non-conference games

Here’s a closer look at Florida’s most difficult non-conference matchups

The excitement, but more so the expectations, surrounding the Florida men’s basketball’s upcoming season are high.

The Gators have the tall task of trying to defend their national title, and this year’s nonconference schedule has its fair share of notable matchups as well as opportunities that could put UF on a favorable path in the NCAA tournament.

Here are the top three nonconference games on Todd Golden and the Gators’ schedule that could help define Florida’s 2025-26 campaign:

Florida basketball vs. Arizona, Nov. 3

The Wildcats (24-13) finished last season ranked No. 13 in the final USA Today Coaches’ Poll after falling to Duke in last year’s Sweet 16. Arizona features three five-star incoming freshmen, as well as Lebron James’ younger son, Bryce James. Florida will face Arizona on a neutral court in Las Vegas in what will be one of the top season-opening matchups in all of basketball. This matchup will be a true test for Florida’s guards, Boogie Fland and Xavian Lee, to display their capabilities on the big stage against a big-time team early in the season.

Florida basketball at Duke, Dec. 1

As part of the SEC/ACC challenge, this is potentially the toughest road matchup on the Gators’ entire schedule. The Blue Devils no longer feature star Cooper Flagg, who was taken No. 1 overall in the recent NBA Draft, but have freshman Cameron Boozer, who is projected to be next year’s top pick. How Florida game plans for Boozer, as well as how Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon can fare against the NBA prospect, makes for an intriguing matchup and storyline.

Florida basketball vs. UConn, Dec. 9

In terms of the most drama surrounding a game, there is no question UF taking on Dan Hurley and the Huskies in a neutral site matchup in New York City owns that honor. The Gators not only ended the chances for UConn’s three-peat in the second round of last year’s NCAA tournament in a contested 77-75 victory, but the drama surrounding the matchup was highlighted after a video of Hurley went viral with him trashing the game’s officiating in the tunnel just before Baylor and Duke took to the court. Hurley has publicly said that he regretted the comments, but the moment was one of the most notable from last year’s NCAA tournament, setting the stage for an interesting matchup.

Other Resume-builders for the Gators:

The Rady’s Children Invitational will guarantee a matchup with TCU, which missed the NCAA tournament last season, snapping a three-year streak. The Gators will then face either Providence or Wisconsin. Should the Gators face and pick up a win against Wisconsin, it would be another resume-builder towards achieving a No. 1 seed in the postseason.

Florida will also face in-state rivals Miami and Florida State in nonconference play, however neither reached the postseason and both will feature first-year head coaches. The Hurricanes finished an abysmal 7-24 last year, while the Seminoles were 17-15. However, with both programs having rejuvenated life and with how easy the transfer portal can now flip rosters, both matchups could prove to be major on UF’s postseason resume.

Of UF’s mid major matchups, George Washington is perhaps the biggest sleeper team as the Revolutionaries come off a 21-13 season.

UF will host North Florida for its home opener on Nov. 6.

Reach Florida Gators writer Andrew Abadie at aabadie@gannett.com or on X (formerly Twitter) at @AndrewAbadie. You can also find him on Facebook at Andrew Abadie Sports Reporter or on Instagram @andrewabadie_sports.