Florida basketball will meet Miami to tip off the 2026-27 season in Tampa on Nov. 2, according to CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein. The game, featuring these in-state rivals, could have an immediate impact on the early NCAA tournament and national championship conversation.
Florida currently holds the No. 1 spot in his Rothstein 45, while Miami is slated at No. 17. The matchup adds another non-conference test for Todd Golden’s program following a strong regular-season finish in 2025-26. The neutral-site contest allows the Gators to earn a possible Quad 1 win at the start of the season.
The two teams last met in November 2025 when the Gators dismantled the Hurricanes 82-68. The Gators return several major pieces from its 2025-26 campaign, including 2026 Second-Team All-American Thomas Haugh and Third-Team All-SEC selection Alex Condon. That retention of talent has many pegging the Gators to make another title run.
Since finishing 15-17 in 2023-24 and 7-24 in 2024-25, the Hurricanes finished in the top 25 at the conclusion of last season. Under the leadership of second-year head coach Jai Lucas, the Canes are looking to return to national contention — the program last appeared in the Final Four in 2022.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida, Miami meet in college basketball tip-off of in-state rivals
Reporting by Michael Long, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
