UF opens national title defense against Arizona in Las Vegas
GAINESVILLE — Florida will begin its national title defense with a high-profile matchup against national power Arizona in Las Vegas, the school announced Monday.
The Gators and Wildcats will meet Nov. 3 at T-Mobile Arena as part of a doubleheader also including a matchup between Villanova and BYU.
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UF defeated Houston 65-63 April 7 for the Gators third national title while Arizona lost 100-93 to Duke in the Sweet 16. The Wildcats tied for third with BYU in the Big 12, won by Houston.
Florida also will face UConn on Dec. 9 at the Jimmy V Classic in New York City's Madison Square Garden. Clemson and BYU will square off during the other game of the doubleheader.
Coming off a 36-4 season, coach Todd Golden's Gators will feature a retooled roster after losing the team's top three scorers, led by All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr.
Center Rueben Chinyelu announced Monday he would withdraw from the NBA Draft and return for his junior season. The 6-foot-10, 260-pound rising junior will join rising star small forward Thomas Haugh and 7-foot-1 Micah Handlogten inside. UF awaits word from power forward Alex Condon as the 6-foot-11 sophomore from Australia considers remaining in the draft.
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UF signed Princeton transfer Xavian Lee and Ohio University's AJ Brown, a native of Orlando, to rebuild the backcourt. Arkansas transfer Boogie Fland was in Gainesville Monday and Tuesday for a visit.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
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