If you’re waking up in Gainesville today, or maybe just checking your phone from across the country to see if there’s a reason to wear your lucky orange and blue polo, you’ve come to the right place. Keeping track of the University of Florida’s sprawling athletic department is a full-time job. Between basketball, gymnastics, and the start of spring sports, the calendar gets crowded fast.
So, let's get right to it. The Florida Gators play the Missouri Tigers today, Sunday, January 18, 2026.
This isn't a football Saturday in the Swamp, but it's a massive day for the women's basketball program. They are hosting Missouri at the Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 PM ET. If you aren't heading to the O'Dome in person, you can catch the action streaming on SEC Network+.
Who Does The Florida Gators Play Today: Breaking Down the Missouri Matchup
Honestly, this game is kind of a big deal for the Gators. They’ve been hitting a bit of a rough patch lately. Coming into today, Florida (12-8) is trying to shake off a five-game losing streak that has been a real gut-punch to their SEC standings. It’s one of those stretches where the shots just haven't been falling, and the defensive rotations have been a half-step slow.
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Missouri (13-7) isn't going to make it easy. They’ve played solid basketball this season, led by Grace Slaughter, who has been a walking bucket, averaging over 18 points a game.
But here’s why there’s reason for optimism in Gainesville today:
- Home Court Advantage: The Gators are 5.5-point favorites according to the early lines.
- The Liv McGill Factor: Florida’s star, Liv McGill, is currently averaging 23.2 points per game. She is the engine of this offense. If she gets hot early, the O'Dome is going to get loud.
- Size in the Paint: Keep an eye on Me’Arah O’Neal. She’s been a force on the glass with over 7 rebounds per game and is a legitimate shot-blocking threat.
The Gators need this win to regain some momentum before they have to travel to Baton Rouge to face LSU later this month. Basically, today is about stopping the bleeding and proving they can still compete in the upper echelon of the SEC.
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Recent Gator Success: The Men's Basketball Momentum
While the women are the main event today, the buzz around Gainesville is still vibrating from what happened yesterday. The Florida Men’s Basketball team just pulled off a massive road win, taking down No. 10 Vanderbilt 98-94 in Nashville.
It was a wild one. Xaivian Lee hit an absolutely insane stepback three that’s probably already a viral TikTok by now. That win moved the men's team into a really strong position as they head toward the heart of conference play. They don't play today—their next game is Tuesday, January 20, at home against LSU—but the energy from that win is definitely carrying over into the atmosphere at the O'Connell Center today.
What Else is Happening in Gator Nation?
January is a transition month for Florida sports. We are smack in the middle of "everything season."
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Gymnastics is Flying High
If you missed it, the No. 1 ranked Gator Gymnastics team just took down No. 4 Alabama this past Friday night. It was a sellout, as usual. The O'Dome is basically the center of the gymnastics world right now. They don't compete today, but they’ll be back on the road this coming Friday, January 23, to take on Auburn.
Tennis and Spring Sports
The men's and women's tennis teams are also active. The men's team actually just ground out a 4-3 win against USF yesterday. They have a short break before facing Kentucky later this week. Meanwhile, the baseball team is still a few weeks away from their season opener on February 13 against UAB, but the practices at Condron Family Ballpark are starting to ramp up in intensity.
How to Watch the Gators Today
If you're looking for the specifics on how to follow the Florida vs. Missouri game today, here is the shorthand:
- Time: 2:00 PM ET.
- Venue: Exactech Arena (Gainesville, FL).
- Broadcasting: SEC Network+. This is the digital platform for the SEC, accessible through the ESPN app.
- Radio: If you're driving, tune into the Gators Sports Network from LEARFIELD (98.1 FM/850 AM WRUF in Gainesville).
Actionable Next Steps for Gator Fans
If you're planning to follow the game or engage with the team today, here’s how to make the most of it:
- Check the Gate: If you're in Gainesville, check the ticket office. Sunday afternoon games for women's basketball often have family-friendly promotions or walk-up availability that you won't find for the big men's games.
- Update Your Apps: Ensure your ESPN app is logged in with your provider credentials before 2:00 PM. Nothing is worse than missing the first quarter because of a password reset.
- Follow Live Stats: If you can't watch the stream, the official Florida Gators website provides a "StatBroadcast" feed that is usually faster than the TV delay.
- Watch the Men's Highlights: Since the men's team won't play until Tuesday, today is the perfect time to catch up on the Vanderbilt highlights to see why people are calling this Todd Golden's best squad yet.
The SEC is a gauntlet, and every Sunday matinee matters. Whether you're cheering for Liv McGill to drop 30 or just want to see the Gators get back in the win column, today’s matchup against Missouri is the only place to focus your energy.