What You Need to Know: NCAA Tournament in Tampa

No. 1-seed Florida men’s basketball matches up against the winner of the First Four game between Prairie View A&M and Lehigh on Friday in Tampa at Benchmark International Arena, with tip set for 9:25 p.m. on TNT.  Here’s everything you need to know.
 
(1) Florida vs. (16) Prairie View A&M/(16) Lehigh

• What: 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball First Round
• When: Friday, April 20 at 9:25 p.m. (ET)  
• Where: Benchmark International Arena (Venue Info) / Tampa (City Info)
• Records: Florida (26-7) vs. Prairie View A&M (18-17)/Lehigh (18-16)
• TV: TNT (Tom McCarthy, Candace Parker, Dan Bonner and AJ Ross)    
• Radio: Gator Sports Network from LEARFIELD / Stations list
  
  (with Sean Kelley, Lee Humphrey and Steve Egan) / Listen Live on the Varsity Network app

 
Know Before You Go

 
2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament Events this week:
 
Team Send-off
Wednesday, Mar. 18 | 7:15 PM
Come send off the Gators as they depart for Tampa at the James W. Bill Heavener Center.
 
Tampa Welcome Event
Wednesday, Mar. 18 | 9:30 PM
Celebrate the start of the NCAA Tournament and welcome the team to Tampa.
JW Marriott; 510 Water St Tampa, FL 33602
 
Florida Open Practice
Thursday, Mar. 19 | 4:15-4:45 PM | Benchmark International Arena
Open practice for the Gators is free and open to the public.
 
Gator Walk
Friday, Mar. 20 | 7:30 PM
Come send off the Gators as they depart for their NCAA Tournament First Round game.
JW Marriott; 510 Water St., Tampa, FL 33602
 
Final Four Merchandise
Click Here for Official 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament gear.