Todd Golden's Florida Gators enter 2026-27 season at No. 1 in AP poll
The team earned 47 first-place votes, marking their first preseason top ranking since the 2006-07 championship era.
By Noah Ross ·
The Florida Gators begin the 2026-27 college basketball season as the nation's top-ranked team. Head coach Todd Golden's squad secured the No. 1 spot in the preseason AP Top 25 poll by earning 47 of 59 first-place votes. This is the first time since the 2006-07 back-to-back championship team that Florida has started a season at No. 1.
The roster features a frontcourt built for size and defense. Center Rueben Chinyelu returns after leading the country with 11.2 rebounds per game and winning the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award. Senior Alex Condon adds experience, having averaged 15.1 points and 7.5 rebounds last season. Forward Thomas Haugh anchors the scoring, coming off a year in which he averaged 17.1 points per game.
Junior guard Boogie Fland controls the backcourt. He averaged 11.6 points and 3.5 assists during his first year with Florida. His play is supported by veterans Denzel Aberdeen and Urban Klavzar. The group provides the depth needed to handle a demanding schedule in the Southeastern Conference.
The Gators face an immediate test in their season opener. They will play No. 14 Miami in Tampa on November 2. The matchup sets the tone for a team that entered the season with high national expectations and a full roster of returning players.
Source: WHBO
