Florida's four returning starters bring high expectations into 2026-27. (L-R: Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, Boogie Fland, Rueben Chinyelu)
Men's Basketball Voted No. 1 in AP Preseason Poll
Monday, October 19, 2026 | Men's Basketball
Florida men's basketball has been voted the Associated Press preseason No. 1 team in the nation in the AP Poll released on Monday.
It marks the second time in program history the Gators earned the distinction, previously doing so ahead of the 2006-07 season that culminated in a second straight national championship.
While UF has been preseason top 10 on 15 occasions, this is just the third time UF has ranked in the preseason top five, twice under head coach Todd Golden. Florida also received a No. 3 ranking ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, which resulted in an SEC championship and NCAA No. 1 seed.
Since the 1984-85 season when NCAA Tournament play expanded to 64 teams, six of 41 AP preseason No. 1 teams have gone on to win the national title, including that 2006-07 UF squad, though no team has accomplished the feat since 2009. Other preseason No. 1 teams to win the national title include UNLV (1989-90), Duke (1991-92), Kentucky (1995-96), UConn (2003-04) and North Carolina (2008-09).
The Gators are scheduled to face eight teams in the AP preseason top 25, including six SEC schools, with the possibility of adding two more (Houston, Kansas) in the Players Era 8. Florida's opening night opponent, Miami, ranks 14th.
AP Top 25 Men's College Basketball Preseason Poll
*Florida opponent; ^Potential Players Era 8 opponent
Others Receiving Votes:
Missouri* 167, Nebraska 70, Purdue 53, Ohio State 39, North Carolina 20, TCU 17, Saint Louis 13, VCU 12, Iowa 12, Virginia Tech 10, Indiana 8, Texas A&M* 6, Villanova 6, Auburn* 4, Marquette 3, Nevada 2, Grand Canyon* 2, Utah State 2, Santa Clara 1
Single-Game Tickets
Single-game tickets for seven early-season Florida men's basketball games are on sale now, including the Gators' Oct. 27 exhibition game and all nonconference games except for Duke. Single-game tickets for the 10 remaining home games will be go on sale Tuesday, Oct. 27.
SEC Saturday Packs
The SEC Saturday Pack includes all five Saturday home SEC dates, with games vs. Vanderbilt, Texas, Missouri, Georgia and Kentucky.
Get Swamp Certified
Gator fans can verify their identity to become Swamp Certified and unlock access to exclusive ticket opportunities, including select presales before tickets go on sale to the general public. Fans are also encouraged to complete the Gators Ticket Interest Form to receive information on future ticket opportunities, including mini plans, single-game tickets, premium seating and group options.
It marks the second time in program history the Gators earned the distinction, previously doing so ahead of the 2006-07 season that culminated in a second straight national championship.
While UF has been preseason top 10 on 15 occasions, this is just the third time UF has ranked in the preseason top five, twice under head coach Todd Golden. Florida also received a No. 3 ranking ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, which resulted in an SEC championship and NCAA No. 1 seed.
Since the 1984-85 season when NCAA Tournament play expanded to 64 teams, six of 41 AP preseason No. 1 teams have gone on to win the national title, including that 2006-07 UF squad, though no team has accomplished the feat since 2009. Other preseason No. 1 teams to win the national title include UNLV (1989-90), Duke (1991-92), Kentucky (1995-96), UConn (2003-04) and North Carolina (2008-09).
The Gators are scheduled to face eight teams in the AP preseason top 25, including six SEC schools, with the possibility of adding two more (Houston, Kansas) in the Players Era 8. Florida's opening night opponent, Miami, ranks 14th.
AP Top 25 Men's College Basketball Preseason Poll
| Rank | Team | Points (1st) |
| 1. | FLORIDA | 1,461 (47) |
| 2. | Duke* | 1,411 (10) |
| 3. | Illinois | 1,342 (2) |
| 4. | UConn | 1,241 |
| 5. | Arizona | 1,214 |
| 6. | Michigan State | 1,203 |
| 7. | Texas* | 1,040 |
| 8. | Tennessee* | 932 |
| 9. | Virginia | 874 |
| 10. | Houston^ | 829 |
| 11. | Louisville | 822 |
| 12. | Arkansas* | 760 |
| 13. | St. John's | 669 |
| 14. | Miami* | 650 |
| 15. | Gonzaga | 637 |
| 16. | Michigan | 605 |
| 17. | Kansas^ | 504 |
| 18. | Iowa State | 475 |
| 19. | Texas Tech | 466 |
| 20. | Alabama* | 374 |
| 21. | USC | 306 |
| 22. | UCLA | 250 |
| 23. | Kentucky* | 243 |
| 24. | Vanderbilt* | 241 |
| 25. | BYU | 179 |
Others Receiving Votes:
Missouri* 167, Nebraska 70, Purdue 53, Ohio State 39, North Carolina 20, TCU 17, Saint Louis 13, VCU 12, Iowa 12, Virginia Tech 10, Indiana 8, Texas A&M* 6, Villanova 6, Auburn* 4, Marquette 3, Nevada 2, Grand Canyon* 2, Utah State 2, Santa Clara 1
Single-Game Tickets
Single-game tickets for seven early-season Florida men's basketball games are on sale now, including the Gators' Oct. 27 exhibition game and all nonconference games except for Duke. Single-game tickets for the 10 remaining home games will be go on sale Tuesday, Oct. 27.
SEC Saturday Packs
The SEC Saturday Pack includes all five Saturday home SEC dates, with games vs. Vanderbilt, Texas, Missouri, Georgia and Kentucky.
Get Swamp Certified
Gator fans can verify their identity to become Swamp Certified and unlock access to exclusive ticket opportunities, including select presales before tickets go on sale to the general public. Fans are also encouraged to complete the Gators Ticket Interest Form to receive information on future ticket opportunities, including mini plans, single-game tickets, premium seating and group options.
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