
Denzel Aberdeen and the Gators will face Richmond in December
UF MBK: Florida to Face Richmond in Orange Bowl Classic
Monday, July 24, 2023 | Men's Basketball
It marks the Gators’ 23rd appearance in the South Florida event
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida men's basketball returns to the Orange Bowl Classic on Dec. 9, 2023, and will square off against Richmond at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise.
The Florida-Richmond game will be part of a doubleheader, with Florida State and South Florida also set to face off. Game times and television information will be announced at a later date.
It marks the first time the Gators will compete in the Orange Bowl Classic under second-year head coach Todd Golden, and UF holds an all-time 18-4 record in the event.
The Gators return two of their three leading scorers from last year's team in Will Richard (10.4 ppg) and SEC All-Freshman honoree Riley Kugel (9.9 ppg), along with an elite transfer class that rates as high as No. 1 in the nation (EvanMiya.com).
Florida is 3-2 all-time against Richmond, winning the last two meetings in Gainesville after Richmond topped UF in the 2009 Orange Bowl Classic. Richmond will become just the second two-time Orange Bowl Classic opponent for the Gators, joining Charlotte (2001 and 2016).
Florida in the Orange Bowl Classic (18-4)
Fans can place a deposit for tickets online at orangebowl.org/basketball or by contacting the Orange Bowl Ticket Office at (305) 341-4701 or tickets@orangebowl.org.
The Florida-Richmond game will be part of a doubleheader, with Florida State and South Florida also set to face off. Game times and television information will be announced at a later date.
It marks the first time the Gators will compete in the Orange Bowl Classic under second-year head coach Todd Golden, and UF holds an all-time 18-4 record in the event.
The Gators return two of their three leading scorers from last year's team in Will Richard (10.4 ppg) and SEC All-Freshman honoree Riley Kugel (9.9 ppg), along with an elite transfer class that rates as high as No. 1 in the nation (EvanMiya.com).
Florida is 3-2 all-time against Richmond, winning the last two meetings in Gainesville after Richmond topped UF in the 2009 Orange Bowl Classic. Richmond will become just the second two-time Orange Bowl Classic opponent for the Gators, joining Charlotte (2001 and 2016).
Florida in the Orange Bowl Classic (18-4)
| Dec. 27, 1997 | UAB | L | 73-80 |
| Dec. 27, 1998 | Michigan | W | 79-63 |
| Dec. 16, 2000 | Gonzaga | W | 85-71 |
| Dec. 15, 2001 | Charlotte | W | 73-52 |
| Dec. 21, 2002 | Miami | W/2OT | 94-93 |
| Dec. 20, 2003 | West Virginia | W | 70-57 |
| Nov. 27, 2004 | Providence | W | 84-66 |
| Dec. 30, 2006 | UAB | W | 75-70 |
| Dec. 29, 2007 | Temple | W | 86-69 |
| Dec. 28, 2008 | Winthrop | W | 74-45 |
| Dec. 19, 2009 | Richmond | L | 53-56 |
| Dec. 18, 2010 | Kansas State | W | 57-44 |
| Dec. 17, 2011 | Texas A&M | W | 84-64 |
| Dec. 29, 2012 | Air Force | W | 78-61 |
| Dec. 21, 2013 | Fresno State | W | 66-49 |
| Dec. 20, 2014 | Wake Forest | W | 63-50 |
| Dec. 19, 2015 | Oklahoma State | W | 72-70 |
| Dec. 17, 2016 | Charlotte | W | 87-46 |
| Dec. 16, 2017 | Clemson | L | 69-71 |
| Dec. 22, 2018 | FGCU | W | 77-56 |
| Dec. 21, 2019 | Utah State | L | 62-65 |
| Dec. 18, 2021 | South Florida | W | 66-55 |
Fans can place a deposit for tickets online at orangebowl.org/basketball or by contacting the Orange Bowl Ticket Office at (305) 341-4701 or tickets@orangebowl.org.
Players Mentioned
Todd Golden Media Availability 11-5-25
Wednesday, November 05
Todd Golden, Thomas Haugh | Media Availability (November 3, 2025)
Tuesday, November 04
Todd Golden and Thomas Haugh Postgame Press Conference 11-3-25
Monday, November 03
Florida Men's Basketball | Todd Golden on Florida's Depth
Thursday, October 30




