Tampa, FL — The inaugural Orion180 Tip-Off Classic will be held Monday, November 2, 2026, at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, featuring a season-opening men’s college basketball doubleheader.
The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the Florida Gators facing the Miami Hurricanes. The second game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. and will feature the Florida State Seminoles against the Florida A&M Rattlers.
The games will be televised nationally on ESPN2 and ESPNU as part of the ESPN Family of Networks.
The event will feature four Florida-based programs competing on opening night of the 2026-27 men’s college basketball season. Florida enters the season as the preseason No. 1 team in the nation under head coach Todd Golden. Miami, Florida State, and Florida A&M will also begin their regular seasons at the event.
Florida A&M head coach Charlie Ward is scheduled to face his alma mater, Florida State, in the second game of the doubleheader.
Orion180 serves as the title partner of the event.
Orion180 Tip-Off Classic
Date: Monday, November 2, 2026
Location: Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, Florida
Television: ESPN2 and ESPNU
Schedule
- 6:00 p.m. — No. 1 Florida Gators vs. No. 21 Miami Hurricanes
- 8:30 p.m. — Florida State Seminoles vs. Florida A&M Rattlers
Additional event information, including ticket details, will be announced at a later date.
