UF Students Camp in Single Digits for Florida Basketball vs. Alabama

Fans brave record cold temperatures to secure tickets for highly anticipated matchup.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 10:31am

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Three University of Florida students camped outside the O'Connell Center in freezing temperatures on Saturday afternoon, enduring snow flurries to secure tickets for the highly anticipated Florida basketball game against Alabama.

Why it matters

The willingness of students to camp out in single-digit temperatures demonstrates the passion and dedication of the Florida fanbase, even in the face of extreme weather conditions. This level of commitment speaks to the importance of college basketball in the local community.

The details

The students braved record cold temperatures in Gainesville, with snow flurries falling near the O'Connell Center as they waited in line for tickets to the Florida-Alabama game. Despite the challenging conditions, the fans remained determined to secure their spots for the highly anticipated matchup.

  • Snow flurries fell on Saturday afternoon in Gainesville.

The players

University of Florida students

A group of three University of Florida students who camped out in freezing temperatures to secure tickets for the Florida basketball game against Alabama.

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The takeaway

The dedication and passion of University of Florida basketball fans, even in the face of extreme weather conditions, highlights the deep-rooted connection between the community and their beloved Gators team.