Vanderbilt Looks to Bounce Back Against Florida

Commodores host Gators in $1 ticket 'white out' game

Feb. 1, 2026 at 10:55am

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After back-to-back losses, Vanderbilt returns home to Memorial Gymnasium to face Florida in a key SEC matchup. The Commodores, ranked 5th in the nation, are led by standout guard Mikayla Blakes and look to get back on track against the unranked Gators, who are led by sophomore Liv McGill. Vanderbilt is hosting the game as a $1 ticket 'white out' event, encouraging fans to pack the arena and provide a strong home-court advantage.

Why it matters

This is an important game for Vanderbilt as it looks to regain momentum after two straight losses. The Commodores have the toughest remaining schedule in the country, so getting back in the win column against an unranked opponent like Florida is crucial. A victory would keep Vanderbilt in the hunt for a high NCAA Tournament seed, while a loss could derail their strong start to the season.

The details

Florida enters the matchup at 13-10 on the season, led by McGill's 22.6 points per game. However, the Gators lack offensive balance, with only two other players averaging more than 6 points per game. Vanderbilt, on the other hand, has a more well-rounded attack led by Blakes (24.9 PPG) and supported by Aubrey Galvan, Sacha Washington, and others. If the Commodores can limit McGill's production and play strong interior defense, they should be in a good position to protect their home court.

  • The game is scheduled for February 1, 2026 at 3:00 PM CST.
  • It will be televised on SEC Network.

The players

Mikayla Blakes

Vanderbilt's star guard, averaging 24.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 3.0 steals per game.

Liv McGill

Florida's sophomore standout, leading the team with 22.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 2.8 steals per game.

Vanderbilt Commodores

The 5th-ranked team in the nation, hosting this game as a $1 ticket 'white out' event to encourage a strong home-court advantage.

Florida Gators

The unranked opponent, looking to pull off an upset on the road against a top-5 team.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

If Vanderbilt wins this game, they will look to carry that momentum into the rest of their tough remaining schedule as they aim for a high NCAA Tournament seed. A loss would make the path to the postseason more challenging.

The takeaway

This matchup between a top-5 Vanderbilt team and an unranked Florida squad presents an opportunity for the Commodores to get back on track and protect their home court. With a balanced offensive attack and a chance to limit the Gators' star player, Vanderbilt has a chance to secure an important victory that could pay dividends down the stretch.