No. 1 Florida Opens Against No. 14 Miami in Tampa Tonight: an In-State Top-15 Showdown Starts the Season
The top-ranked Gators unveil their returning veteran trio at the Orion180 Tipoff Classic at 6 p.m. on ESPN2, favored by 5.5 points over a Miami team that won 26 games last season.
Florida's college basketball season opens with the biggest game in the state. The No. 1-ranked Gators face No. 14 Miami on Monday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. Eastern in the Orion180 Tipoff Classic at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, on ESPN2 - an in-state showdown between two top-15 teams looking to erase second-round NCAA Tournament exits last spring, Roundtable reported. Florida enters as 5.5-point favorites, with a -230 moneyline against Miami's +190.
It cost Florida considerably to bring back the trio of Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu, who have their sights set on another national championship. The projected Florida lineup pairs fifth-year guard Denzel Aberdeen and junior Boogie Fland in the backcourt with senior Haugh, senior Condon and senior Chinyelu up front. Miami, 26-9 last season in year two under its current staff, projects sophomore Acaden Lewis and sophomore Dante Allen at guard, sophomore Shelton Henderson on the wing, freshman Caleb Gaskins or fifth-year Malik Reneau at power forward - Reneau's starting spot pending on availability - and junior Somto Cyril at center.
The teams last met on Nov. 16, 2025, in Jacksonville, where Florida won 82-68, handing Miami its first loss; Condon and Chinyelu both finished with double-doubles, Haugh finished one rebound shy of one, and Reneau led all scorers with 22 points as Miami shot just 34 percent from the field. Monday's winner takes the state's first bragging rights of the season - and for Florida, the first test of a No. 1 ranking it will defend all winter. The Sports Desk files the final tonight.
