Skip to main content
Join Now
Get a profile. Be recruited.

Report: Florida, Miami finalizing agreement to meet in Jacksonville in early season matchup

FaceProfileby: Thomas Goldkamp06/17/25
generic basketball
Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

A compelling early season matchup is in the works, according to a report from CBS Sports. Florida and Miami are finalizing an agreement to meet up in Jacksonville, Fla., in November.

Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reported the news on Tuesday afternoon. The matchup should be a compelling one on multiple fronts.

Miami is in the midst of a coaching change after long-time coach Jim Larranaga stepped down midway through last season. In comes former Duke assistant Jai Lucas. And there are some ties to Florida.

As a player, Lucas initially played at Florida. He spent the 2007-08 season with the Gators before ultimately transferring to Texas.

Lucas has been hard at work assembling a roster for the ‘Canes, turning to the transfer portal, in large part, to do so. He has landed a handful of marquee commitments, enough that Miami should be fairly competitive in Lucas’ first year in charge.

Leading the way is Indiana transfer Malik Reneau, a powerful forward. Michigan transfer Tre Donaldson will help anchor the backcourt after a thoroughly productive season.

Others who will help include NC State guard Tru Washington and Missouri wing Marcus Allen. Bottom line: Miami has some talent to work with going into 2025-26.

Of course, so does Florida. The defending national champions returned the frontcourt almost entirely intact. Big man Alex Condon was the final piece to return, opting to withdraw from the NBA Draft.

He’s joined by the likes of Rueben Chinyelu and Micah Handlongten, as well as stretch four Thomas Haugh. Haugh could get more run at small forward this season in a revamped approach for the Gators.

Florida is once again relying on some transfers in the backcourt. Arkansas point guard Boogie Fland was the big addition, but Princeton‘s Xaivian Lee is also no slouch.

In any case, this early season matchup should be a good test for both squads. It should help give fans an idea where both teams stand as the season begins to unfold.