A clash of recent champions
The Florida Gators and the Baylor Bears are set to meet on October 18 in Jacksonville for a preseason exhibition that promises a clash of the last two NCAA champions.
Florida entered the 2024‑25 season as SEC regular‑season champions, finishing 27‑8 and capturing its third national title in 2025. The Gators will return a core group that includes starters Rueben Chinyelu, Alex Condon, Boogie Fland and Thomas Haugh, giving the team continuity heading into the exhibition.
Baylor, which lifted the championship trophy in 2021, comes into the matchup after a 17‑17 campaign in 2025‑26 that saw the Bears miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2017‑18 season. Despite the setback, the program retains a talented roster that will look to rebound under its coaching staff.
The game is part of the Jacksonville Hoops Showdown, a multi‑team event that will be staged at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Ticket sales open on September 16, with a 24‑hour presale beginning the day prior, giving fans an early chance to secure seats.
Looking ahead
Both coaches see the exhibition as a valuable opportunity to fine‑tune strategies and evaluate depth before the regular season begins. For Florida, the game offers a chance to showcase the chemistry of a returning lineup, while Baylor hopes to use the platform to attract attention after a surprising season.
Historically, the two programs have met only four times, with Florida holding a 1‑3 record. The most recent encounter, a 95‑91 victory for Baylor on November 24, 2023, highlighted the competitiveness of the series, while an earlier 81‑60 win in Gainesville on January 27, 2018, remains Florida’s only triumph.
Fans in Jacksonville and beyond can expect an up‑tempo contest that blends the Gators’ SEC pedigree with the Bears’ Big 12 experience. As the first high‑profile matchup of the college basketball calendar, the event is poised to set a lively tone for the upcoming season.