With Florida’s home court in the midst of a massive $64.5 million renovation project that will be completed in December of 2016, the Gators will play all except one games of their 2016-17 non-conference schedule away from the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.
Seven of Florida’s 13 non-conference outings will be played inside the boarders of the Sunshine State, allowing the Gators to play in front of loyal fans at multitude of different venues.
“We have a unique opportunity with the construction of the O’Connell Center and there’s going to be a great benefit, but also a sacrifice – one that we are asking fans to make for the comforts that we will all benefit from come the end of December and beyond,†UF Head Coach Amanda Butler said. “We think this can be a very fun non-conference season, a very challenging non-conference season, as we always strive to do.â€
Gator Games in the Sunshine State
- November 11: vs. South Alabama – Jacksonville, FL (Veterans Memorial Arena) – Doubleheader with Gator men’s team
- November 19: vs. Temple – Ocala, FL (College of Central Florida’s Patriot Gym)
- November 30: vs. Wofford – Ocala, FL (College of Central Florida’s Patriot Gym)
- December 8: at Florida State – Tallahassee, FL
- December 11: vs. North Carolina A&M – Panama City, FL (Gulf Coast State College’s Billy Harrison Field House)
- December 20: vs. Florida A&M or Indiana – Winter Park, FL (Florida Sunshine Classic at Rollins College)
- December 21: vs. Florida A&M or Indiana – Winter Park, FL (Florida Sunshine Classic at Rollins College)
- December 28: host Southeastern Louisiana – Gainesville, FL (Exactech Arena at the O’Connell Center)
“We feel we have one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country and we are team that thrives in an energetic environment.
“The challenge is to create a home environment when we’re not in Exactech Arena and we need our fans to answer the call and help us do that,†Butler shared.
The Gators and their fans will get their first taste of their new digs in the newly renamed Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center on December 28, when Florida welcomes Southeastern Louisiana as its inaugural opponent.
Specific details regarding start times, ticket information and more will be announced as soon as they have been solidified.
Check out the latest on the renovations to Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.
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