UF WBB: Gators Reveal 2021-22 Non-Conference Slate

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida women’s basketball team revealed its 2021-22 non-conference schedule Tuesday morning, a slate that includes six contests to be played at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.

2021-22 season ticket renewals began July 19 and single game ticket sales kick off October 4.<mailto:https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_sports_2015_12_10_-5Ftickets-5Fbasketball-5Fwomen-5F.aspx&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=_5JU8ie-nmzOkO6xtIdKf28alsuGyrUvQC6Qk2U-nuo&s=CWe9taALnfkhiXunXI1NUkjTbdqNXPDTiWN3yYcPfd4&e= >

Florida’s season opener is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 9 when it welcomes Georgia State to the O’Connell Center. The Gators will host an exhibition matchup ahead of their lidlifter when they welcome Flagler on Thursday, Nov. 4.

The Gators are set to participate in two multiple-team events in November as they receive an early test with an appearance in the Preseason WNIT Classic in Raleigh, N.C. before heading to Puerto Rico for the San Juan Shootout.

Florida has an opportunity to test itself before the rigors of SEC play as its non-conference docket includes three matchups against teams that qualified for the postseason in 2021.

Following its season opener, UF hits the road for three matchups at the Preseason WNIT Classic. Florida takes the court in the three-day, round-robin tournament from Nov. 12-15 and will square off with Towson on Nov. 12, NC State on Nov. 14 and Wofford on Nov. 15 with the Wolfpack hosting the festivities in Raleigh, N.C.

UF has an opportunity to measure itself against some top-notch competition in the early stages of the campaign. NC State has developed into a perennial contender out of the ACC and has qualified for three-consecutive Sweet 16’s. Towson and Wofford both notched double-figure win totals and finished above .500 in their respective leagues a season ago.

After its early season test in Raleigh, UF returns home for back-to-back games in Gainesville as it hosts Grambling State on Nov. 19 and USC Upstate on Nov. 22.

The Gators set sail for the beaches of San Juan where they take part in the San Juan Shootout. Florida draws St. Louis on Nov. 26 and George Washington on Nov. 27.

Florida continues its stretch of out-of-town matchups with true road tilts at George Mason on Dec. 1 and at TCU on Dec. 5.

Following their road swing, the Gators conclude their 2021-22 non-league slate with three-straight home contests. Florida hosts Dayton on Dec. 8, Florida State on Dec. 12 and Murray State on Dec. 21.

The Gators’ 2021-22 roster is one of the program’s deepest and most experienced in several seasons as they welcome back 87 percent of their scoring, 89 percent of their rebounding, 89 percent of their assists and 85 percent of their minutes played from a year ago. The team features five players who started 18 or more games in the 2020-21 season and eight of UF’s top nine scorers return.

Florida accounts for two of the top three returning scorers in the entire Southeastern Conference as Kiki Smith (18.8 points per game) and Lavender Briggs (19.5 points per game) are both back in the Orange and Blue.

Utilizing her extra year of collegiate eligibility Smith, who became the first player in program history to lead the Gators in points, rebounds and assists for a season, is back as the team’s leader in 2021. Returning from a foot injury which caused her to miss the team’s final eight games, the prolific offensive talent Briggs, will look continue to build on what has been a stellar beginning to her career. The All-SEC Second Team selection averaged 21.8 points per game in SEC play last year, the highest by any Florida player since 1983, and scored 41 points in a game at Arkansas in January.

Rising sophomore Jordyn Merritt, who started UF’s final 10 games and earned an SEC All-Freshman team nod, returns as well. After making her way back from a knee injury, the 6-foot-3 forward closed out the season strong and posted 17 points and 18 rebounds over Charlotte in the Postseason WNIT helping will the Gators to their first win in the postseason in seven years.

With Merritt, and Briggs’ designation in 2020, Florida is one just four SEC programs to feature an all-freshman team selection in the last two seasons.

For the first time in program history, Florida touts three 5-star signees on its roster with Briggs, Merritt and newcomer Zipporah Broughton. Broughton, who spent her first three seasons competing at Rutgers before announcing her transfer to UF in April, was tabbed the Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year in 2018. Fellow newcomer, freshman guard Jeriah Warren, was named the 2021 Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year last month.

Times and television information will be announced at a later date.

Nov. 4

Thursday

FLAGLER (Exhibition)

GAINESVILLE, FL

Nov. 9

Tuesday

GEORGIA STATE

GAINESVILLE, FL

Nov. 12

Friday

vs. Towson (Preseason WNIT Classic)