Big games like this don’t just get watched — they become events. If you’re planning your day around Florida vs. Providence, you’ll want every option at your fingertips so you don’t miss a single possession.
But here’s where it gets interesting…this matchup isn’t just another nonconference game. It comes with storylines, streaks, and a Gators team trying to respond after a tough loss — and that’s exactly what makes it must-see viewing.
Florida vs. Providence: How to Watch, Listen, and Stream
No. 10 Florida (4–2) returns to the floor on Friday looking to respond after its Thursday setback against TCU at the Rady Children’s Invitational in San Diego, turning the page quickly with a showdown against Providence (4–3). The Gators will be aiming to shake off that loss and re-establish momentum, while the Friars look to hand Florida its first-ever defeat in this series.
All the ways to tune in — TV, streaming, radio, and live stats — are laid out below so you can follow along however you prefer.
How to Watch on TV and Stream
When: Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 | 3:00 p.m. EST
Where: Jenny Craig Pavilion, San Diego, California
TV / Live Stream Options:
– Main broadcast: FOX
– Live streaming: FOX Sports App (with compatible TV provider login)
Broadcast crew:
– Play-by-play: Cory Provus
– Analyst: Donny Marshall
– Reporter: Allison Williams
Live Game Tracking:
– In-game updates, scores, and stats are also available through the CBS Sports App, which is a handy companion if you’re watching on TV but still want deeper stats and play-by-play data.
Additional Streaming Option:
– Select college basketball matchups, including games like this, may also be available through Fubo, which typically offers a free trial for new users (availability can depend on region). If you’ve cut the cord, this can be a practical way to watch on your TV, laptop, tablet, or phone.
And this is the part most people miss…regional restrictions and subscription requirements can affect what you can actually see, so double-check your local listings and app access before tip-off.
Radio Coverage
If you’re on the road, at work, or just prefer an audio call, you still have excellent options.
Radio / Audio Platforms:
– Gators Sports Network from LEARFIELD
– FloridaGators.com (audio streaming)
– SiriusXM App (channel assignments may be listed closer to tip)
Radio broadcast team:
– Play-by-play: Tim Bickford
Radio can be a great way to keep up with the game if your TV access is limited — and many fans actually prefer the energy and detail of a dedicated radio call.
Key Pre‑Game Storylines (via UF Athletics)
This is where the matchup gets more layered than it might appear at first glance — and where some fans might disagree about how much history really matters.
Team History vs. Providence
– Florida and Providence are meeting for the sixth time in program history.
– The Gators are a perfect 5–0 against the Friars so far, and this is their first meeting since 2019.
Is that historical dominance a real predictor here, or does the fresh season and neutral-site setting reset everything? That’s one angle fans love to debate.
Recent Form and Individual Performances
– Florida is trying to bounce back from Thursday’s loss to TCU, a game that still featured standout individual showings. Urban Klavžar poured in a career-high 20 points, hitting 4-of-7 from beyond the arc and knocking down all six of his free throws.
– Thomas Haugh added his third 20-point performance of the season in that same game, further cementing his role as a consistent offensive force.
Klavžar’s Hot Stretch
– Over his last three games, Urban Klavžar has averaged 13.7 points per contest.
– During that span, he has gone 10-for-20 from three-point range, an impressive 50% clip, including 4-of-7 from deep against both Miami and TCU.
If he keeps shooting like this, should Florida be running even more sets through him on the perimeter? Some might argue the offense should tilt his way when he’s this hot.
Condon’s All‑Around Impact
– Against TCU, Alex Condon delivered a uniquely well-rounded stat line: 8 points, 8 rebounds, and a career-high 8 assists.
– He became just the fourth Gator in recent program history to reach at least 8 in all three of those categories in a game, a club that includes Thomas Haugh, Myreon Jones, and Chris Chiozza (who last recorded a UF triple-double in 2017 vs. Missouri).
Haugh’s Scoring Growth
– Thomas Haugh now has three 20-point games already this season, after posting two such outings across his first two years combined.
– That jump suggests a player not just gaining confidence, but becoming a primary offensive option rather than a complementary piece.
Florida’s Frontcourt: Quietly Dominant (and a Little Bit Controversial)
Here’s a bold claim: Florida’s frontcourt might be one of the most underrated strengths in college basketball right now.
Double-Doubles and Record Rebounding
– The Gators’ frontcourt has already racked up nine double-doubles this season.
– Rueben Chinyelu has delivered three consecutive double-doubles (Florida State, Miami, Merrimack), highlighted by a remarkable 21-rebound performance against Merrimack. That total was the most rebounds by a Gator in 43 years and tied the O’Connell Center record set by Eugene McDowell (21 boards vs. Georgia in 1982).
Rebounding Margin
– Florida is currently dominating the glass with a +16.5 rebounding margin.
– Some of the most eye-catching margins include +40 vs. North Florida, +28 vs. Merrimack, and +22 against Florida State.
Here’s where it gets controversial: Does this rebounding dominance mean Florida’s truly elite inside against top competition, or are these numbers inflated by mismatches in certain nonconference games? Providence’s physicality will give everyone a clearer answer.
Scheduling, Competition Level, and Early Tests
Strength of schedule is always a lightning rod topic. Some fans think tough early slates are essential; others believe they can backfire with too many early losses.
Early Major-Conference Gauntlet
– For the first time since the 2000–01 season, Florida played three of its first four games against major-conference opponents.
– Among power-conference programs this season, only two teams (including Florida and Alabama) chose to open with that kind of early major-conference density.
– Overall, the Gators will play seven of their first nine contests against high-major opponents, including a stretch of four straight such games featuring heavyweight programs like Duke and UConn in the top five nationally.
Rivalry Wins
– Florida earned victories over both Miami and Florida State in the same season for the first time since 2005–06, marking just the 13th time in program history that the Gators have beaten both in a single campaign.
– Thomas Haugh collected SEC Player of the Week honors after posting 20 points and 13 rebounds vs. Florida State and following that up with 17 points and 9 boards against Miami.
– Rueben Chinyelu recorded a double-double in each of those rivalry victories, reinforcing his impact around the basket.
So, is this brutal early schedule sharpening Florida into a true title contender, or wearing the team down too early? That’s a debate that often only gets settled in March.
Program Context: Championship Pedigree and Coaching
Florida enters the 2025–26 season not just as another strong program, but as the defending national champion.
Recent Championship and Coaching Profile
– The Gators come into this season fresh off their third national title in program history and their first under head coach Todd Golden.
– Golden is now in his fourth season at Florida and is one of only seven active head coaches nationally with a national championship on his résumé.
That alone sparks a question: Is Golden already in the conversation among the elite active coaches, or does he need sustained success over more seasons to be placed there?
Nonconference Slate and SEC Outlook
Florida’s schedule was clearly built to test the team early and often, both in neutral-site showcases and within the SEC.
High-End Nonconference Schedule
– The Gators lined up neutral-site matchups against Arizona, UConn, and Miami, took on a strong Thanksgiving tournament slate (including TCU and Providence), and scheduled a home showdown with Florida State.
SEC Scheduling Highlights
– In conference play, Florida will face two-game series against Georgia, Kentucky, and South Carolina, ensuring multiple high-stakes matchups against traditional and rising SEC rivals.
A schedule like this can either elevate a team’s NCAA Tournament résumé or expose flaws — sometimes both at once.
Roster Breakdown: Who’s Back and Who’s New
The Gators’ roster blends experienced frontcourt returners, perimeter reinforcements from the transfer portal, and key departures that will force new leaders to emerge.
Returning Frontcourt Core
– Florida brings back all of its primary frontcourt contributors from last season: juniors Rueben Chinyelu, Alex Condon, and Thomas Haugh, along with senior Micah Handlogten.
NBA Draft Testing and Returning Production
– Alex Condon, a third-team All-SEC selection by the coaches in 2024–25, and Rueben Chinyelu both went through the NBA Draft process during the offseason before choosing to return to Gainesville.
– Last season, Condon averaged 10.6 points and a team-leading 7.5 rebounds.
– During Florida’s nine-game postseason run, Haugh averaged 12.0 points per game, underscoring his ability to step up under high-pressure conditions.
Transfer Portal Additions in the Backcourt
– Florida aggressively addressed its backcourt through the transfer portal, adding four guards: Boogie Fland (from Arkansas), Xaivian Lee (from Princeton), AJ Brown (from Ohio), and Alex Kovatchev (from Sacramento State).
Returning Guards and Depth Pieces
– The Gators also return guards Urban Klavžar and Isaiah Brown, along with center Viktor Mikić, all of whom are expected to take on larger roles in their second season with the program.
– Walk-ons Cooper Josefsberg and Olivier Rioux are also back, providing additional practice and depth options.
Key Departures
– Florida graduated its highest-scoring trio in a single season in program history, as Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, and Will Richard all exhausted their eligibility.
– Each member of that trio went on to become an NBA Draft pick, leaving behind both a statistical void and a legacy of high-level production.
Here’s a subtle but important tension: Can Florida truly replace that much backcourt scoring with transfers and internal development, or will this be the area that ultimately caps their ceiling?
Fan Question: Your Take?
So, with all of that in mind — the undefeated history vs. Providence, the dominant rebounding, the tough nonconference slate, the national championship context, and the roster retooling — how do you see this playing out?
- Do you think Florida’s frontcourt makes them a legitimate threat to repeat as national champions, or are the backcourt losses too big to overcome?
- Is this heavyweight schedule the right move, or would you rather see a softer early slate with more guaranteed wins?
Drop your thoughts, hot takes, and predictions in the comments. Do you agree with the idea that Florida’s frontcourt is underrated, or do you think the numbers are inflated by the schedule so far? This is where the debate really starts.