Ayrton Oneill
The University of Florida (UF) men's basketball team, also known as the Florida Gators, has been a Division I team since its creation in 1915. The Gators have won three NCAA national championships, with the most recent being in the 2024-25 season. They have also won five SEC Tournament championships, including one in the 2024-25 season. The Gators have a rich history of success in both basketball and football, becoming the first school to win a national championship in both sports in the same calendar and academic year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Florida Gators |
| University | University of Florida |
| Location | Gainesville, Florida |
| Division | Division I |
| Conference | Southeastern Conference (SEC) |
| Conference Division | Eastern Division |
| Home Games Location | Stephen C. O'Connell Center |
| Head Coach | Mike White |
| Number of National Championships | 3 |
| Years of National Championships | 2005-06, 2006-07, 2024-25 |
| Number of SEC Tournament Championships | 5 |
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What You'll Learn
- The University of Florida (UF) basketball team, the Gators, play in Division I of the NCAA
- They also play in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC)
- The Gators have won three national championships
- They play their home games in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center
- The Gators' first varsity basketball team was formed in 1915
The University of Florida (UF) basketball team, the Gators, play in Division I of the NCAA
The Gators compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Their success on the court has brought them into rivalry with teams like Kentucky and Tennessee. The Gators have won three NCAA national championships, which is an impressive feat. Two of these championships were won back-to-back in 2005–06 and 2006–07, with a third title following in 2025. This made them the first team to accomplish this feat since the 1991–92 Duke Blue Devils.
The Gators play their home games at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center, located on the university's Gainesville campus. Their success in recent years has been built on a strong foundation, with the team excelling even during the early years of the sport's development at the college level. The Gators have a proud history and a passionate fan base, and their success has continued into the present day.
The Gators have had notable achievements in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. In 2013, they entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed in the South Region, advancing to the Elite Eight before being defeated by Michigan. In 2006, they entered the tournament as a No. 3 seed again and made it to the Final Four, defeating South Alabama and Milwaukee along the way. They ultimately became the first team since the Duke Blue Devils of 1991–92 to win back-to-back national championships.
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They also play in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC)
The Florida Gators men's basketball team represents the University of Florida, located in Gainesville, Florida. The team plays in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
The Gators have a rich history in basketball, dating back to their first varsity basketball team during the 1915-16 school year. Led by head coach C.J. McCoy, the team achieved a 5-1 record during its inaugural season. After a hiatus during World War I, the Gators returned to the court in the 1919-20 school year without a designated coach.
They play their home games in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on the university's campus. The Gators have had notable success in recent years, winning three NCAA national championships, including back-to-back titles in 2005-06 and 2006-07. They have also won five SEC Tournament championships, showcasing their dominance in the Eastern Division of the SEC.
Their conference schedule includes games against other SEC Eastern Division teams, specifically Kentucky and Tennessee, as well as the SEC Western Division teams, with home games alternating each season. The Gators' success has led to rivalries with these prominent basketball programs within the division.
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The Gators have won three national championships
The Florida Gators men's basketball team has a rich history, with the school sponsoring its first varsity basketball team during the 1915-16 academic year. Led by head coach C.J. McCoy, the team achieved a 5-1 record against small colleges and local athletic clubs. Over the years, the Gators have experienced both triumphs and setbacks on their journey to becoming a competitive force in college basketball.
The Gators' first notable achievement was their appearance in the 1969 National Invitation Tournament, with their first All-American, Neal Walk. However, consistent success eluded them, and they often found themselves in the bottom half of the SEC basketball standings. The turning point came with the appointment of head coach Billy Donovan in 1996. Under his leadership, the Gators' fortunes transformed dramatically.
During Donovan's tenure, the Gators claimed six SEC regular season championships and four SEC tournament championships. They became a regular fixture in the NCAA Tournaments, advancing to four Final Fours. The pinnacle of their success came in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons when they secured back-to-back national championships. This achievement marked the first time any team had won consecutive national titles since Duke accomplished the feat in 1991-92. Moreover, the Gators made history as the first school to win national championships in both football and basketball in the same calendar and academic year.
The Gators' third national championship came in 2025 under the guidance of head coach Todd Golden. This triumph added another illustrious chapter to the Gators' basketball legacy, solidifying their place among the most successful programs in college basketball.
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They play their home games in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center
The Florida Gators men's basketball team represents the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. The Gators compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
The Gators play their home games in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center, located on the university's campus. The facility is a 10,500-seat multi-purpose arena named for the sixth president of the university, Stephen C. O'Connell, who served from 1967 to 1973. The O'Connell Center was constructed in the late 1970s to provide a new home for the university's indoor sports programs, including basketball. Previously, the Gators basketball team played in the smaller University Gymnasium, which had limited spectator space. The first basketball game at the O'Connell Center was held on December 30, 1980, and the arena was officially dedicated in January 1981.
The O'Connell Center underwent a significant $64.5 million renovation and reconstruction project in 2016, which included major changes to its layout and design. The interior of the arena was completely demolished and rebuilt, with new seating, a hanging scoreboard, and upgraded locker and meeting rooms. The main arena was renamed the Exactech Arena as part of a naming rights deal with a local medical firm.
Today, the Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center continues to serve as the home of the Florida Gators basketball team, hosting their home games and providing a modern and spacious venue for the team and its fans. The arena has played a key role in the success of the Gators basketball program, with the team winning three NCAA national championships while calling the O'Connell Center home.
In addition to basketball games, the Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center hosts a variety of other events, including concerts, graduation ceremonies, trade shows, and public speeches. It is the largest concert venue in North Central Florida and has featured performances by artists such as Gainesville native Tom Petty.
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The Gators' first varsity basketball team was formed in 1915
The University of Florida (UF) was established in 1905 when the Florida Legislature passed the Buckman Act, which consolidated four predecessor institutions into a new flagship university. The Gainesville campus opened in 1906, and the University of Florida's men's basketball team first took the court in 1915. The Gators first varsity basketball team was formed during the 1915–16 school year, under head football coach C.J. McCoy. The team went 5–1 during its first season, playing against small colleges and local athletic clubs. The following three seasons were canceled due to World War I, and the team restarted for the 1919–20 season without a designated coach.
The Gators basketball team moved into the newly completed University Gymnasium during the 1919–20 school year. By the mid-1920s, the team had outgrown the small brick structure, which had been designed as a student recreation centre with limited spectator space. Head football coach William G. Kline was assigned to coach the basketball team for the 1920–21 season. Kline, who also coached the Gators football team, led the basketball squad from 1920 to 1922.
The University of Florida's basketball program struggled to gain traction in its early decades. The team lacked a permanent home court with adequate seating until the Florida Gymnasium opened in 1949. It wasn't until 1960 that the university hired its first full-time basketball coach, Norm Sloan. The Gators played in a modern arena for the first time when the O'Connell Center opened in 1980.
The trajectory of the Gators basketball program changed dramatically with the hiring of head coach Billy Donovan in 1996. Under Donovan's leadership, the team achieved significant success, including six SEC regular-season championships and four SEC tournament championships. They appeared in 14 NCAA Tournaments and won back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007. The Gators became the first school to win national championships in both football and basketball in the same calendar and academic year.
Today, the Florida Gators men's basketball team competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They play their home games in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on the university's Gainesville campus, and Mike White is the current head coach. The Gators have continued to add to their impressive list of accomplishments, recently winning their third national championship in 2025.
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Frequently asked questions
UF basketball, also known as the Florida Gators, is a Division I school.
The Florida Gators have won three NCAA national championships, with the first two occurring back-to-back in 2005–06 and 2006–07. Their most recent championship win was in 2025.
The University of Florida's basketball program began during the 1915-16 school year under head football coach C.J. McCoy.
