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Chasing another crown: Florida basketball's title defense schedule revealed | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, September 24th 2025 at 8:14 GMT by Sporting News
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Florida Gators Set Sights on Repeat Championship: Title‑Defense Schedule Unveiled

After a whirlwind 2023 season that saw the Gators capture the NCAA men’s basketball title, the University of Florida’s athletic department has finally revealed the full slate of games that will test the reigning champions in 2024. The schedule, released by the Florida Athletics Department on Monday, combines a gauntlet of non‑conference powerhouses with a grueling SEC slate that should keep the Gators battle‑ready as they chase another national crown.

A Bold Non‑Conference Road to the Big Dance

Florida’s non‑conference schedule is arguably the toughest in the country, featuring matchups against four of the top‑25 teams from the past season. The Gators open the season at Duke in the ACC‑Basketball Challenge, a high‑profile event that pits the two teams against each other in the historic Madison Square Garden. “We’re going to get a real taste of competition right out of the gate,” says head coach Brian Gregory. “It’s the kind of game that will prepare us for the intensity we’ll see in the tournament.”

In addition to Duke, the Gators host the Texas A&M Aggies and Kansas State Wildcats before traveling to Ohio State for a road game that will test the Gators’ resilience. The “Road Trip” section of the schedule also includes a stop in Pittsburgh and a late‑season home game against the North Carolina Tar Heels. Gregory is confident that these contests will sharpen the team’s defensive tempo, which led the country in opponent field‑goal percentage last season.

The Gators’ only other notable non‑conference opponent is Purdue – the Big Ten’s two‑time national runner‑up. The 2024 matchup will be a mid‑season showdown that could determine whether Florida’s momentum carries into the postseason. According to the athletic department’s press release, the Purdue game will be played on “neutral” ground at the U.S. Bank Arena in Tulsa, which adds an extra layer of intrigue to the already‑cannibalizing schedule.

SEC Power Play: 18 Conference Games

While the non‑conference slate is a highlight reel on its own, the heart of the Gators’ title‑defense is the SEC schedule. Florida will play 18 conference games, facing each of the 13 other SEC teams twice – once at home and once on the road. The 2024 schedule includes key matchups against Kentucky, Alabama, and Tennessee, all of which have been ranked in the AP Top 25 for most of the 2023‑24 season.

The Gators’ first SEC game will be at Kentucky, a team that finished the previous season in the top ten and boasts a formidable offensive attack. “We’ll have to go hard early,” Gregory said. “Kentucky has a high‑scoring offense and we need to counter that.”

At home, the Gators are slated to host Mississippi State, Georgia, and South Carolina, all of whom have been ranked in the top 20. The home schedule also includes the classic Florida‑Georgia rivalry game, which will be played at the Gator‑Bates Arena on April 14, the night before the Big 12‑SEC showdown. “The rivalry is always a key fixture in the Gators’ season,” said Greg’s longtime assistant, Steve Hicks. “We need to be at our best when we play Georgia.”

A highlight of the SEC slate is a mid‑season “home‑coming” game against UCF, the former American Conference co‑champion. The Gators will finish the conference play with an away trip to Tennessee and a home finale against Alabama, two teams that have been ranked in the top five for the last two seasons.

Player Spotlight: Returning Stars and Fresh Talent

The Gators’ roster is a blend of seasoned leaders and promising freshmen. Key returning players include guard Jaylen Wells, who led the team in points last season, and forward‑center Jalen Baird, whose defensive presence anchored the Gators’ championship run. The coaching staff is also excited about freshman guard Kale Mills, who is expected to contribute immediately off the bench.

Coach Gregory emphasized the importance of depth, noting that the Gators have “a full bench that can stay competitive even when the starters get tired.” “Defense is going to be our cornerstone, and we’re fortunate to have players who are not only talented but disciplined,” he said.

Looking Ahead

With the 2024 schedule now on the books, the Gators are poised to tackle a challenge that could define their legacy. The combination of high‑profile non‑conference games and a brutal SEC slate provides a litmus test for the team’s resilience, depth, and adaptability – all of which are critical for a deep tournament run.

Sports insiders predict that if Florida can stay consistent on defense while staying aggressive on offense, the Gators have a strong chance of securing a top‑seed in the 2024 NCAA tournament. Gregory’s optimism is mirrored across the locker room: “We’re a championship team,” he told reporters after the schedule announcement. “We’re ready to defend our title.”

The 2024 schedule, complete with dates, times, and travel arrangements, is available on the official Florida Athletics website. Fans can tune in to watch the Gators’ quest for a repeat championship unfold, game after grueling game, as the team strives to cement its place among the NCAA’s elite.