Home SPORTS UF opens national title defense against Arizona in Las Vegas

UF opens national title defense against Arizona in Las Vegas

UF opens national title defense against Arizona in Las Vegas

GAINESVILLE — Florida will begin its national title defense with a high-profile matchup against national power Arizona in Las Vegas, the school announced Monday.

The Gators and Wildcats will meet Nov. 3 at T-Mobile Arena as part of a doubleheader also including a matchup between Villanova and BYU.

UF defeated Houston 65-63 April 7 for the Gators third national title while Arizona lost 100-93 to Duke in the Sweet 16. The Wildcats tied for third with BYU in the Big 12, won by Houston.

Florida also will face UConn on Dec. 9 at the Jimmy V Classic in New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Clemson and BYU will square off during the other game of the doubleheader.

Coming off a 36-4 season, coach Todd Golden’s Gators will feature a retooled roster after losing the team’s top three scorers, led by All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr.

Florida forward Alex Condon dives for the ball on the last play of the game during the NCAA Basketball National Championship Game against Houston at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on Monday. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Center Rueben Chinyelu announced Monday he would withdraw from the NBA Draft and return for his junior season. The 6-foot-10, 260-pound rising junior will join rising star small forward Thomas Haugh and 7-foot-1 Micah Handlogten inside. UF awaits word from power forward Alex Condon as the 6-foot-11 sophomore from Australia considers remaining in the draft.

UF signed Princeton transfer Xavian Lee and Ohio University’s AJ Brown, a native of Orlando, to rebuild the backcourt. Arkansas transfer Boogie Fland was in Gainesville Monday and Tuesday for a visit.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

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