The Florida Gators learned their opponent for the Phil Knight Legacy Tournament opener Monday. In fact, they will face the team that ended the Gators’ 2021-22 season just four months ago in the NIT, the Xavier Musketeers.
We’ve been waiting 👀
Gators vs. Xavier in the Phil Knight Legacy opener 🐊
🗞 https://t.co/0lPETBSdNF#GoGators | #GatorsHoop pic.twitter.com/IdnDzjwhHT
— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) July 25, 2022
Both teams will enter this matchup with new coaches as both participated in the NIT with interim head coaches.
The two teams have squared off five times in the past with Florida trailing the series 2-3 all-time.
The Musketeers and Gators are scheduled for tipoff at 5:30 PM on Thursday, November 24. The winner and loser will be paired with the winner and loser of the Duke – Oregon State contest the following day. Florida will then play a team from the opposite side of the bracket on November 27 to close out the event. Those four possible opponents are: Gonzaga, Portland State, Purdue, and West Virginia.
Florida opens its season on November 7 against Stony Brook in Gainesville.