The Florida Gators welcome the Jacksonville Dolphins to the O'Connell Center on Thursday night for their home opener. If you want to catch the men's college basketball action on TV or live stream, or are looking for a prediction, we have everything you need to know just below.
Florida returns to Gainesville after beating the Miami Hurricanes, 87-77, in Tampa on Monday to open the 2026-27 campaign. Ranked No. 1 in both the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and AP Top 25, this will be the Gators' first game on their home floor as the nation's top-ranked team since Senior Day 2014, when they wrapped up an 18-0 SEC regular season schedule.
Jacksonville also prevailed in its season opener against the Trinity College Eagles, 105-61, and is unranked in both
major polls; the Dolphins check in at No. 237 in the Basketball Power Index and No. 228 in the KenPom rankings.
The Orange and Blue have lost just five times in 38 tries against Jacksonville dating back to 1960. The last time UF lost to JU came in Gainesville during the 2010 season, 71-68; Florida has won the last five meetings since.
Stream Florida vs. Jacksonville with ESPN+
What channel is Florida vs. Jacksonville on today?
- TV Channel: SEC Network+
- Livestream: ESPN+
Florida vs. Jacksonville will be broadcast nationally on the SEC Network+ on Thursday, Nov. 5. Ryan Urquhart and Mark Wise will call the game from the O'Connell Center. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+.
Florida vs. Jacksonville time today
- Date: Thursday, Nov. 5
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET
The Florida vs. Jacksonville game starts at 8 p.m. ET from inside the O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida.
Stream Florida vs. Jacksonville
Florida vs. Jacksonville predictions, picks
The Gators looked good against the Hurricanes on Monday night, with much-improved outside shooting — which was their Achilles heel last season. Todd Golden's gang looked strong in every aspect of the game except for free-throw shooting, which was a thorn in the side of the team during the preseason.
Efficiency from the charity stripe aside, this Florida team already looks locked in and poses a blowout threat to Thursday night's visitors. I expect not only a double-digit victory, but a complete dismantling of the Dolphins.
PREDICTION: Florida 101, Jacksonville 77
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Where to watch Florida vs Jacksonville today: Time, TV channel, stream
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