Florida Makes History as Preseason College Basketball Rankings Revealed
Florida tops the 2026-27 preseason AP Top 25 for the first time since 2006, ahead of Duke, Illinois and UConn.
The Florida Gators have made history by topping the Associated Press preseason Top 25 college basketball rankings for the first time since 2006. Coached by Todd Golden, the Gators received 47 of 59 first-place votes, surpassing competitors like Duke and Illinois. This ranking highlights the team's growth since their 2025 national championship win, followed by a successful 2025-26 regular season and an early NCAA Tournament exit.
Returning players such as Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, Rueben Chinyelu, and Boogie Fland, along with Denzel Aberdeen's comeback from Kentucky, will bolster an experienced roster. However, the Gators face competition from teams like Duke, Illinois, Michigan State, and defending national champion Michigan. Despite the preseason ranking's uncertainty regarding postseason outcomes, it sets expectations for Florida, which aims to capitalize on this early success and potentially claim another national title.
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