Is there such a thing as too strong of a nonconference schedule? We may find out with what Arizona is putting together for the 2025-26 season.
College basketball insider Jon Rothstein is reporting that the Wildcats are set to add another powerhouse opponent, finalizing a deal to face Florida in the season opener. The game would be played Nov. 3, the first day of the 2025-26 season, in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena as part of a doubleheader that would also feature BYU and Villanova.
Florida is coming off its third NCAA title, beating Houston in San Antonio last month. The Gators went 36-4 but like most teams have to rebuild their roster thanks to graduation, the NBA Draft and the NCAA transfer portal.
This would be the fifth meeting between Arizona and Florida (the series is tied 2-2) and first since 2012 when the 8th-ranked Wildcats beat the 5th-ranked Gators 65-64 at McKale Center, winning it on Mark Lyons’ basket with seven seconds left.
Florida is the latest in a murderer’s row of nonconference opponents Arizona has lined up for next season. The UA is also set to face UCLA at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles on Nov. 14, visit UConn on Nov. 19, host Auburn on Dec. 6 and meet Alabama in Birmingham on Dec. 13. That’s in addition to the Big 12 slate.