So, you’re looking for the Gators. It’s Saturday, January 17, 2026, and if you’re a Florida fan, your eyes are probably glued to the hardwood right now. We aren't talking football—those pads are packed away until September. Today is all about Todd Golden's squad heading into a hostile environment.
The big question: what channel is the gator game on today? Basically, you need to find ESPN. The No. 19 Florida Gators are taking on the No. 10 Vanderbilt Commodores in a massive SEC showdown. Tip-off is set for 2:00 PM ET (that's 1:00 PM local time if you're actually in Nashville).
Finding the Game on Your TV
Honestly, it’s a relief when a game is on "big" ESPN. You don’t have to hunt through the depths of the SEC Network or wonder if you need a specific digital login for SEC Network+. If you have a standard cable or satellite package, just punch in the channel number for ESPN.
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If you’re sitting at a bar or a friend's house and can’t find it, just look for the main ESPN feed. They aren't burying this one on ESPN2 or ESPNU today because, let's face it, a Top 20 matchup in the SEC is prime real estate.
Streaming Options for Cord-Cutters
You’ve got options if you ditched the cable box. Since the game is on ESPN, it's pretty much everywhere.
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- Hulu + Live TV: This is usually the easiest bet because it carries the full ESPN suite.
- FuboTV: Great for sports fans, and they usually offer a free trial if you’re just trying to catch this one game.
- YouTube TV: Another solid "everything-in-one" option.
- Sling TV: You’ll need the Orange package to get ESPN.
- ESPN+ / ESPN App: You can stream it here, but remember, you usually need a "TV Provider" login to authenticate the ESPN cable channel stream.
Why This Vanderbilt Game Matters
This isn't just another January game. Florida is currently 12-5 (3-1 SEC) and they're facing a Vanderbilt team that is arguably the hottest in the country. Vandy is 16-1. Memorial Gymnasium is also a weird place to play—the benches are on the baselines, and the court is raised. It messes with players' depth perception every single year.
Keep an eye on Urban Klavzar. He’s been a spark plug lately. If Florida can handle the perimeter pressure from the Commodores, they’ve got a real shot at the upset.
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What About Other Gator Sports Today?
While the men's basketball game is the headliner, there’s actually a lot of orange and blue action happening this Saturday.
- Men's Tennis: They are hosting USF at home in Gainesville. That started around noon.
- Women's Tennis: The ladies are on the road at Charleston Southern (1:00 PM).
- Track and Field: They've been competing in the Jimmy Carnes meet over at the Alachua County Sports Event Center.
If you were looking for Florida football, you've got a long wait. The 2026 season opener against Florida Atlantic isn't until September 5. But hey, at least we know the schedule now, including that massive October 31st game against Georgia in Atlanta.
Fast Facts for Today’s Game
- Matchup: No. 19 Florida at No. 10 Vanderbilt
- Time: 2:00 PM ET
- Channel: ESPN
- Location: Memorial Gymnasium, Nashville, TN
- Radio: Gators Media Network (check your local affiliates or the Florida Gators app)
Make sure you’ve got the right channel tuned in before tip-off. These SEC games move fast, and missing the first five minutes could mean missing a 10-0 run that decides the whole thing.
To get ready for the game, check your streaming login now to ensure you don't hit a "password reset" wall right at 2:00 PM. If you're using an antenna, remember that ESPN is cable-only, so you'll need one of the streaming services mentioned above if you don't have a traditional provider.