- National Champion Florida to play Arizona; BYU to face Villanova in Marquee Doubleheader -
PHOENIX – Position Sports, in partnership with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, announced the matchups for the 2025 Hall of Fame Series Las Vegas on Monday, November 3, at T-Mobile Arena. The Hall of Fame Series returns to the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World for the third consecutive year following a successful event this past November.
For the second year in a row, the Hall of Fame Series Las Vegas will showcase a reigning national champion, following last season’s appearance by the South Carolina women’s team. This doubleheader will spotlight the men’s national champion, Florida, as the Gators take on Arizona. In the second matchup, BYU—featuring consensus No. 1 incoming recruit A.J. Dybantsa and former Las Vegas prep standout Xavion Staton—will face Villanova to officially tip off the 2025-26 college basketball season.
Tickets for the Hall of Fame Series Las Vegas will go on sale Friday, May 30, at 10:00 AM PT (1:00 PM ET) at HOFSeries.com.
“We’re thrilled to continue our longstanding partnership with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as the Hall of Fame Series returns to Las Vegas and T-Mobile Arena for a third consecutive year,” said Melissa Meacham-Grossman, President of Position Sports. “Opening Night promises to deliver a tremendous start to the season, with defending national champion Florida tipping off their title defense and both games airing across TNT Sports' national platforms. It’s an exciting way to showcase Las Vegas and celebrate the Hall of Fame’s impact on college basketball.”
Both games will be nationally televised across TNT Sports' networks and platforms, with additional programming details to be announced.
Further details regarding game times and media credentials for the doubleheader will be shared at a later date.
The Hall of Fame Series, owned and operated by Position Sports, is a premier collection of multi-game, singular events that feature top collegiate basketball programs in high-profile non-conference matchups played both domestically and abroad. Past stops have included the following cities: Baltimore (2024), Charlotte (2023), Las Vegas (2023-24), New York (2024), Phoenix (2023-24), San Antonio (2023), and Toronto (2023).
For more Hall of Fame Series information and updates, please visit HOFSeries.com or follow @HOFSeries on all social platforms.
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Arizona vs. Florida Series History |
The Wildcats and Gators have split the four all-time matchups, with two of those games decided by a single point and another going to overtime. Arizona claimed the more recent meeting on December 15, 2012, in Tucson, edging Florida 65-64 after rallying from a six-point deficit in the final 58 seconds. The programs also faced off in a Hall of Fame event at the 2003 Tip-off Classic in Springfield, Mass. (Florida won, 78-77).
Quotes from Head Coaches:
“Opening the season in the Hall of Fame Series against a team like Florida in Las Vegas is a tremendous opportunity for our program and our fans. I know T-Mobile Arena will be rocking that night, and we look forward to competing against one of the best teams in the country on opening night.”
Tommy Lloyd | Arizona
“Arizona is a top-level program, and I have a lot of respect for Coach Lloyd from our days coaching against each other at San Francisco and Gonzaga. This matchup will be a great test for our team, and marquee opening day events like the Hall of Fame Series Las Vegas are fantastic for basketball fans. I know our guys will be excited to compete.”
Todd Golden | Florida
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BYU vs. Villanova Series History |
Villanova holds a 2-1 edge in the all-time series, with all three matchups taking place at neutral sites. The Wildcats earned a 72-58 victory in the first meeting on December 29, 1951, at the Sugar Bowl Tournament in New Orleans. The Cougars then posted a 102-93 overtime win on December 29, 1970, at the Rainbow Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii. Villanova won the most recent contest 91-61 on December 28, 1984, at the Cotton State-Kiwanis Classic in Atlanta.
Quotes from Head Coaches:
“One of our main focuses heading into the 2025-26 season was playing a tougher non-conference schedule, and the Hall of Fame Series Las Vegas helps us achieve that. We are excited to open the season against Villanova at T-Mobile Arena in November and expect to see Cougar Nation out in full force.”
Kevin Young | BYU
“We’re looking forward to opening our 2025-26 season at the Hall of Fame Series Las Vegas. BYU is an outstanding opponent with its own great basketball tradition. We’re honored to represent Villanova and the entire Nova Nation in the Hall of Fame Series.”
Kevin Willard | Villanova
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Hall of Fame Series Las Vegas History |
2023:
W: USC (83), Ohio State (74)
M: Oregon (82), Georgia (71)
W: Colorado (92), LSU (78)
M: USC (82), Kansas State (69)
2024:
W: South Carolina (68), Michigan (62)
M: Ohio State (80), Texas (72)
About Position Sports
Position Sports, established in 2005, is a premium event production and brand marketing firm that specializes in event operations, activation development, media relations, and digital engagement. Over the years, Position Sports has worked with many of the world’s leading brands, including Nike, Jordan Brand, Red Bull, the Basketball Hall of Fame, ESPN Events, USA Basketball, Upper Deck, MLB, and T-Mobile in nearly every major U.S. city and on a global scale. Position Sports provides clients with the expanded strategic direction needed to succeed in the sports marketing arena, also known as Positioning. To learn more, visit positionsports.com or follow @positionsports on Twitter and Instagram.
About Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level—men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors—both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 475 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits, and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit hoophall.com and follow @hoophallU.