Illinois basketball to play exhibition with defending national Champions Florida Gators

Illinois basketball will always play the best. Florida Basketball Hour (@FloridaBBHour) reported on X that the Gators will face Illinois in a closed scrimmage in Orlando on Saturday, October 25.

While many fans wish this matchup were an open exhibition or a regular-season showdown, the scrimmage still promises a high-level clash between two of the sport’s most talented teams and recognizable brands.

Illinois basketball and Florida have not met in official competition since March 19, 2000, when they squared off in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Winston-Salem. The Gators won that contest 93–76, but Illinois holds a 4–1 all-time series advantage.

This year’s scrimmage will serve as an early measuring stick for the Illini, as Florida enters the season as the defending 2024–25 national champion and a likely preseason top-five team. The Gators currently sit at No. 5 in Bart Torvik’s preseason rankings and No. 4 on EvanMiya.com.

Florida’s frontcourt projects as one of the nation’s best, anchored by 6’9 Thomas Haugh, 6’11 Rueben Chinyelu, and 6’11 Alex Condon. Both Haugh and Condon rank inside the top 13 nationally in Evan Miyakawa’s preseason player ratings, setting up a marquee interior battle with Illinois center Tomislav Ivisic, who checks in at No. 12.

Like Florida, Illinois is expected to lean heavily on its frontcourt, led by the veteran Ivisic twins. The matchup against the Gators’ size and depth will be a valuable early test before the Illini begin official competition.

Following the scrimmage, Illinois will open its regular season on Monday November 3, at the State Farm Center against Jackson State.

Breaking:

Florida will play Illinois on October 25 in Orlando, per sources.

FBH reporting this with @GrahamHall.

Two of the top teams in America in a big time closed door scrimmage.

— Florida Basketball Hour (@FloridaBBHour) September 22, 2025

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