The last time the Florida Gators played at Amway Center, they were the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and were on their way to the Final Four.
Their path back to the NCAA Tournament under coach Mike White may go through different cities throughout the state, including Orlando.
The Stephen C. O’Connell Center’s long-awaited renovation will take place beginning in March after the Gators’ 2016 season ends. The $20 million renovation plan was finalized earlier this week. The project will add luxury boxes and backs to the lower bowl seats at the on-campus stadium.
However, construction during the renovation is expected to take nine months and bleed into basketball season. That means the Gators will have to play their home schedule in November and December outside of Gainesville and the O’Connell Center.
Edgar Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel reports the Gators are planning to play their home games in sets of two games in three days in various cities throughout the state. Jacksonville, Orlando and Sunrise will be considered.
The Gators have played one-off exhibitions in Orlando before, including a loss to UCF at Amway Center in their last regular season trip to Orlando. And Orlando is relatively close to Gainesville (about an hour and a half). Jacksonville is also fairly close too, but both are in driving distance.
It is very likely it would seem that Orlando will host a couple Gator games during November or December 2016.
Florida is playing six home games this year before the SEC schedule starts. It is very possible the Gators will spend two home games during the 2016-17 season in Orlando.
