Florida Gators slated for ESPN Events Invitational at Disney
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators men’s basketball team will compete in the 2024 ESPN Events Invitational at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Kissimmee, ESPN announced Thursday.
The Gators join Minnesota, Wake Forest and Wichita State in the four-team event, which will include the first round on Thursday, Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving Day) followed by championship and consolation games on Friday, Nov. 29. Florida last appeared in the event in Nov. 2016, finishing third in an eight-team field with wins over Seton Hall and Miami (Fla.).
Matchups, television designations and game times will be announced at a later date.
The Gators are 1-1 all-time vs. Minnesota, last downing the Golden Gophers in the second round of the 2013 NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas. Florida has a 7-6 all-time record vs. Wake Forest, falling on the road vs. the Demon Deacons in last season’s inaugural ACC-SEC Challenge. UF holds a 2-0 mark against Wichita State, sweeping an early 1990s home-and-home series with the Shockers.
The Florida Gators enter their third season under Todd Golden after 24 wins last season and their first NCAA Tournament appearance in three years. They return with a pair of returning starters in Walter Clayton Jr. and Will Richard and brought in a trio of top-200 transfers in their 2024 class.
The Gators’ 2024-25 nonconference schedule also includes a previously-announced home matchup vs. Virginia in the SEC-ACC Challenge.
Gators non-conference schedule
Nov. 15: at Florida State
Nov. 28: ESPN Events Invitational (Orlando)
Dec. 4: vs. Virginia — ACC/SEC Challenge (Gainesville)
Dec. 14: vs. Arizona State (Atlanta)
Dec. 17: vs. North Carolina — Jumpman Invitational (Charlotte)
Dec. 21: vs. North Florida
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2024-25 SEC opponent breakdown
Oklahoma and Texas will both make the trip to Gainesville in their first SEC season, while the Gators will face Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina twice.
Florida’s permanent home-and-home series opponents will be Georgia and South Carolina in the new scheduling format with the league’s expansion to 16 teams. The Gators will face one additional rotating team in a home-and-home, beginning with Tennessee.
Florida’s home schedule also includes Ole Miss, Missouri, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt. UF’s road slate consists of visits to Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Kentucky, LSU and Mississippi State.
Home and Away: Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee
Home Only: Ole Miss, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt
Away Only: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State
