Gators to take on challenging non-league schedule, highlighted by eight home matchups.
By: Sam Stolte
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Florida women's basketball head coach Cameron Newbauer announced the team's 2019-20 non-conference schedule Wednesday morning, a slate that includes five matchups against postseason teams from a season ago as well as eight contests to be played at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
2019-20 season tickets will go on sale Monday, July 8 and single game ticket sales kick off October 7.
"We are excited to open the 2019-20 season playing six of our first seven games in front of Gator Nation in Exactech Arena. Eight total home games in the non-conference slate will provide our fans with a number of opportunities to see us compete against some very good teams. Once again our schedule will provide a number of very challenging games at home and away in some great environments all which will help prepare us for the SEC season," Newbauer said. "We are still months away from the start of practice and our team is working hard and diligently in the off-season to compete at the highest level this year."
The Gators, who welcome back several contributors from last season's squad and an impressive crop of freshmen talent, will play 10 of their 13 non-conference games in the Sunshine State.
Opening its season away from Gainesville for the third time in the last four seasons, Florida travels to Grambling State on Tuesday, Nov. 5 for its 2019-20 season lidlifter.
Following its tussle with the Tigers, Florida returns to the Swamp to host six-straight contests, a stretch of games highlighted by matchups against 2019 NCAA Tournament teams, Indiana and Florida State. In addition to hosting the Hoosiers and Seminoles, the Gators welcome Longwood, Samford, Presbyterian, Florida A&M, Mercer and Davidson to Gainesville.
UF will also play true road games at Prairie View A&M, which qualified for the WNIT last season, and at Kansas as part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge. The Gators travel to West Palm Springs to battle Xavier and Wake Forest in the West Palm Invitational on Dec. 20 and 21 before returning to host Davidson in their non-conference finale on Dec. 29. Rising redshirt-junior Kiki Smith returns for the Gators after making strides in her first season with Florida
On the weekend of Nov. 9 Gator fans will have the opportunity to catch a women's basketball game, a men's basketball game and a football game all in two-day span. The Gator football team hosts Vanderbilt on Saturday, Nov. 9 while women's basketball and men's basketball host Longwood and Florida State, respectively, on Sunday, Nov. 10.
The Gators return seven players from last season's squad, including three starters in Danielle Rainey, Kiki Smith and Zada Williams. In addition, the Gators welcome the services of a heralded freshmen class, a group that earned a four-star grade and the No. 26 overall ranking from ProspectsNation.
Times and television information will be announced at a later date.
Florida's SEC matchups will be unveiled by the conference later in the summer.
2019-20 Non-Conference Schedule
Nov. 5
Tuesday
at Grambling State
Grambling, La.
Nov. 10
Sunday
Longwood
Gainesville
Nov. 16
Saturday
Samford
Gainesville
Nov. 18
Monday
Presbyterian
Gainesville
Nov. 22
Friday
Indiana
Gainesville
Nov. 26
Tuesday
Florida State
Gainesville
Dec. 1
Sunday
Florida A&M
Gainesville
Dec. 5
Thursday
at Prairie View A&M
Prairie View, Texas
Dec. 8
Sunday
at Kansas
Lawrence, Kan.
Dec. 17
Tuesday
Mercer
Gainesville
Dec. 20
Friday
Xavier#
West Palm Beach, Fla.
Dec. 21
Saturday
Wake Forest#
West Palm Beach, Fla.
Dec. 29
Sunday
Davidson
Gainesville
# West Palm Invitational Bold played at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center
