The Florida Gators women's basketball program is slated to headline the 2026 Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, a Thanksgiving Week showcase that brings together some of the nation's most promising mid‑major teams. Florida will open its schedule against West Virginia on November 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET, a matchup that rekindles a rivalry that has produced four victories for the Gators over the Mountaineers since the early 1990s.
A New Era Under Coach Reiss
First‑year head coach Tammi Reiss will steer the Gators through the event, bringing a fresh philosophy that emphasizes aggressive perimeter play and disciplined defense. The roster she inherited includes All‑American transfer Kiyomi McMiller, who burst onto the scene with 30‑plus point outings in six straight games last season, and veteran scorer Gia Cooke, who returns after leading the team in scoring the previous year.
Adding depth to the backcourt, Vanessa Harris, the Atlantic 10 Sixth Woman of the Year, brings a spark off the bench, while Moriah Murray, a Penn State transfer celebrated for her 39.8% three‑point shooting and back‑to‑back 70‑plus made threes, bolsters the perimeter threat. The Gators also welcome Katie Donovan and Kyra Bruyndoncx, who were among Davidson’s top scorers last season, further enriching the team's offensive options.
The tournament schedule also features a marquee clash between Notre Dame and Davidson on November 24 at 1 p.m. ET, with the game streamed on ESPN2. Notre Dame arrives with a strong pedigree, having finished 25‑11 last season and earned a ninth‑ranking in the nation, highlighted by reigning National Defensive Player of the Year Hannah Hidalgo, who anchors the Fighting Irish defense.
Davidson, fresh off a 21‑12 campaign that marked its first 20‑win season since 2012‑13, will rely on returning scorers Katie Donovan and Kyra Bruyndoncx to challenge the Gators. The Wildcats have shown steady improvement, and their recent success adds an extra layer of intrigue to the Florida‑Davidson finale on November 26 at 2 p.m. ET, which will be broadcast on ESPNU.
All games will be available on ESPN's streaming platforms, with the West Virginia matchup on ESPN+ and the Notre Dame showdown on ESPN2. The tournament’s blend of historic rivalries, emerging talent and high‑stakes broadcasting promises a compelling week of basketball that could set the tone for the Gators' season and showcase the rising competitiveness of women's college hoops across the country.