Defending champion and No. 3-ranked Florida will feel like it is back in the NCAA Tournament when the Gators open their season Monday against No. 13 Arizona at Las Vegas.

Florida brings a 12-game winning streak into the matchup, including the last six victories during a March Madness run that culminated with wins over a pair of No. 1 seeds in Auburn in the national semifinals and Houston in the final. The victory over the Cougars secured the Gators' third title in school history.

Florida lost three players to the NBA in Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin and Will Richard, while the returning big men include 6-foot-9 Thomas Haugh, 6-11 Alex Condon and 6-10 Rueben Chinyelu, all of whom are set to start.

A pair of transfers are expected to fill out the backcourt in Arkansas' Boogie Fland an

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