With the fall season around the corner for the Gators, we have been focusing on the football team as of lately. Despite the football season nearing, we still take the time to cover every sport at the University of Florida. We now move to the men’s basketball team, as they have just released their 2009 Non-Conference Schedule. Before we take a look at it, I have to say that is certainly filled with very difficult competition, and I’m sure that once you see their schedule you will agree with me too.

The headline game has to be against Michigan State in the “Legend’s Classic” at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. The next toughest game will be against Florida State at home. Xavier, coming off of a Sweet 16 birth, comes into Gainesville for the first time ever. In the SEC/Big East Invitational, Florida will be matched up against Syracuse, another postseason team on the Gators schedule. The Richmond Spiders are also on the schedule, along with Florida A&M. A great game is bound to take place when Florida meets North Carolina State. One year ago, the two teams played a thriller at Florida, in which the Gators made a late rally to win the game 68-66.

The schedule is going to be a challenge for the 2009 Gators, but if they want to go dancing in March, they must prove themselves against a tough schedule. The conference games will be released at a later time, once these games are released, Gators Sports Nation will have them posted.

Non-Conference Schedule For UF

Date    Opponent                                            Site                             

November

2          St. Leo University (Exh.)                      Gainesville, Fla.

9          Webber International (Exh.)                Gainesville, Fla.

15        Stetson                                                Gainesville, Fla.

18        Georgia Southern                                Gainesville, Fla.

20        Troy                                                     Gainesville, Fla.

24        Florida State                                        Gainesville, Fla.

27        Michigan State/UMass or Rutgers      Atlantic City, N.J.

28        Michigan State/UMass or Rutgers      Atlantic City, N.J.

December

1          Florida A&M                                         Gainesville, Fla.

4          Jacksonville                                         Jacksonville, Fla.

10        Syracuse%                                         Tampa, Fla.

19        Richmond@                                        Sunrise, Fla.

22        South Alabama                                   Gainesville, Fla.

28        American                                             Gainesville, Fla.

30        Presbyterian                                        Gainesville, Fla.

January

3          North Carolina State                           Raleigh, N.C.

February

13        Xavier                                                  Gainesville, Fla.