Florida Gators Prepare for NCAA Tournament Opener

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The University of Florida Gators men's basketball team, led by head coach Todd Golden, are set to face either Prairie View A&M or Lehigh University in the opening round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The Gators, who finished the regular season with a 26-7 record, will take on the winner of the Prairie View-Lehigh matchup on Friday in Tampa, Florida.

Why it matters

The Gators are looking to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament after a successful regular season. Facing either Prairie View or Lehigh in the opening round will be an important first step, as the team aims to advance and potentially earn a spot in the later rounds of the tournament.

The details

The Gators, led by head coach Todd Golden, earned a spot in the 2026 NCAA Tournament after finishing the regular season with a 26-7 record. In the opening round, the Gators will face the winner of the matchup between Prairie View A&M and Lehigh University, which is scheduled for Wednesday. The Gators-Prairie View/Lehigh game will take place on Friday in Tampa, Florida.

• The Gators finished the regular season with a 26-7 record.
• Prairie View A&M and Lehigh University will play each other on Wednesday to determine the Gators' opening-round opponent.
• The Gators will face the winner of the Prairie View-Lehigh matchup on Friday in Tampa, Florida.

What’s next

The winner of the Prairie View-Lehigh matchup on Wednesday will face the Florida Gators on Friday in Tampa, Florida, in the opening round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.