Florida’s 2026-27 non-conference schedule is starting to take shape, and one of the latest additions is a familiar name.
The Gators are set to host Merrimack on Nov. 13, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. It will be another meeting between the programs after Florida handled Merrimack 80-45 on Nov. 21, 2025, at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.
In that win, Alex Condon powered the Gators with a double-double, finishing with 20 points and 11 rebounds in 30 minutes.
Merrimack is the latest piece of a non-conference slate that already includes several notable matchups for Florida. The Gators will open the 2026-27 season at Benchmark International Arena on Nov. 2 against Miami, the same building where Florida’s 2025-26 run ended in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against No. 9 seed Iowa.
Florida beat Miami 82-68 in Jacksonville during the 2025-26 season. That came during a strong first season for Hurricanes coach Jai Lucas, a former UF guard, who guided Miami to a 26-9 record and a third-place finish in the ACC. Miami also enters Lucas’ second season with the No. 5-ranked transfer portal class by 247Sports.
The Gators are also expected to meet Georgia Tech on Dec. 12 in Orlando at the Kia Center, multiple sources told Swamp247 in June. Florida will also play Notre Dame in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas.
Another major non-conference test comes in the ACC/SEC Challenge, where Florida will host Duke. The fourth annual SEC/ACC Men’s Challenge is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 1, and Wednesday, Dec. 2.
Swamp247 was first to report Florida’s expected matchup with Miami, a development that followed Golden’s public acknowledgment that the Gators wanted more balance in the non-conference schedule after last season’s demanding slate.
“So, (Jonathan Safir) and I were talking (Tuesday). He had talked to (Alex Condon).
Condo had asked how the schedule was coming. And Saf asked him what his thoughts were, and Alex said 'Something between 2 years ago and last year.'
So we want to play some good games, for sure. We're playing in Players Era (Festival), so that three, four really good games right there.
And we'll play a couple more, you know, really tough opponents in preparation (for SEC play)," Golden said in April. "It did not feel good being 5-4, but it definitely benefited us and allowed us to be prepared to win the league.
So, somewhere in between, but we'll play some marquee matchups outside of Players Era."
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