Todd Golden Just Added Another Intriguing Test To Florida's 2026 Slate

The Florida Gators strategically bolster their 2026-27 non-conference schedule with a home game against Vermont, marking their fourth encounter in history.

The Florida Gators have reportedly filled in another piece of their 2026-27 non-conference schedule, and it comes with a familiar name.

According to credentialed outlet Florida Basketball Hour, Florida will host Vermont on Dec. 6. That would make it the Gators’ first game after the home showdown with Duke in the SEC-ACC Challenge.

If the report holds, it will also be the fourth meeting ever between Florida and Vermont. The Gators are 3-0 in the series, including an 86-62 win in 2015. Florida also beat Vermont in 2007 and 1977.

The Vermont game adds to a growing list of reported non-conference dates for Florida. The Gators were also reported by 247 Sports’ Graham Hall to have added Jacksonville on Nov. 5 earlier this week, bringing the total to 11 reported non-conference games for the season.

Other reported opponents include Merrimack on Nov. 13, Milwaukee on Nov. 24 and Georgia Tech on Dec. 12 in Orlando.

Florida also has confirmed matchups with Miami on Nov. 2 in Tampa, Duke on Dec. 1 in Gainesville for the SEC-ACC Challenge and a trip to the Players Era Eight Tournament in Las Vegas from Nov. 17-19.

In that tournament, Florida is set to open against Notre Dame on Nov. 17 before facing either Houston or Rutgers on Nov. 19.

After that, the Gators would play either Auburn, Kansas, UNLV or West Virginia on Nov. 19.

Florida is also expected to play Florida State in Tallahassee in the annual rivalry game, though no date has been announced.

Earlier this offseason, Todd Golden laid out the thinking behind the schedule.

“So we want to play some good games, for sure. We're playing in Players Era (Festival), so that's three, four really good games right there.

And we'll play a couple more, you know, really tough opponents in preparation (for SEC play)," head coach Todd 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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