Gators hoops will host UCF in the NIT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Gators men’s basketball team has earned a No. 4 seed in the National Invitation Tournament and will host UCF on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the O’Dome. The game will be televised by ESPN2.
Florida (16-16, 9-9 SEC) makes its 12th all-time NIT appearance, holding a 14-13 record in the event and with three semifinal appearances (1986, 1992, 2008). The Gators are 10-1 all-time vs. UCF, the last meeting a 79-66 win in Gainesville on Nov. 23, 2012.
Following UF’s 69-68 overtime loss to Mississippi State, Todd Golden indicated that the Gators would accept an invitation to play in the NIT if they didn’t make the NCAA Tournament.
“Yeah, absolutely. Any time you get an opportunity to compete, you better step up and grab it. As long as I’m the head coach at Florida, we’ll compete,” Golden said. “We’re excited to see. I think we have a great shot to make it (to the Big Dance). Getting to 16 wins, having a top 10 strength of schedule in the country, wins against Tennessee, wins on the road against Mississippi State, at home against Missouri. We have a lot of things we can hang our hat on. We were trending to be a tournament team prior to Colin’s injury. We’ll be prepared for whatever happens on Sunday.”
Golden became the first UF coach since 1973-74 to post multiple top-25 wins in his inaugural season at Florida. UCF (18-14, 8-10 American) owns top-100 wins vs. Memphis, Oklahoma State and Santa Clara this season.
Should the Gators advance, they will face the winner of Oregon vs. UC Irvine on Saturday or Sunday.
Ticket info for Gators vs. UCF
Season ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase their seat location by ordering before 4 p.m. on Monday. Unclaimed season ticket locations will be released to the public for purchase by 6 p.m. on Monday.
Courtside: $50
Club & Loge: $40
Lower Baseline and 100 Level: $20
200 Level: $15
Students: Free
How to Order:
* Online at FloridaGators.com: Season ticket holders should click on “2023 NIT Tournament Invoice.” Use your account ID and password to log in. If you do not know your password, click on the “Forgot Password” button and it will be sent to the e-mail address on file. Once in the account, select “Buy Tickets” and follow the steps through the checkout process.
* Via phone by calling (352) 375-4683, option 2 on Monday, March 13, 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
* In person at the Gator Ticket Office, located at the Corner of Gale Lemerand Dr. and Stadium Rd., near Gate 18 of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, on Monday, March 13, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
