Florida Returns To AP Top
Todd Golden's squad received 47 of 59 first-place votes to open the 2026-27 season as the nation's top-ranked team.
By Andrew Kovalenko ·
Forty-seven of the 59 first-place votes cast in the preseason AP Top 25 poll went to the Florida Gators, securing the No. 1 ranking for the 2026-27 season. The vote tallies place Gainesville at the top of the national standings before a single regular-season game is played.
Head coach Todd Golden leads a roster that has not held the No. 1 spot in an opening week since the 2006-07 championship team. The university views this placement as a benchmark for the upcoming campaign, setting a high bar for performance expectations from the first contest.
The team's frontcourt provides the statistical foundation for the ranking. Rueben Chinyelu returns after leading the nation with 11.2 rebounds per game and winning the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award. Senior Alex Condon adds versatility, averaging 15.1 points and 7.5 rebounds last season. Forward Thomas Haugh, a Third Team All-American, anchors the scoring offense with 17.1 points per game.
Junior guard Boogie Fland manages the backcourt, recording 11.6 points and 3.5 assists in his first year with Florida. He is supported by veteran guards Denzel Aberdeen and Urban Klavzar, who provide depth for the schedule.
The season begins in Tampa with a matchup against No. 14 Miami. This opener serves as an immediate test of the team's readiness to defend the preseason position against a ranked opponent within the state.
The AP poll results reflect the consensus of voters regarding the team's talent. Florida now enters the season as the favorite in the national rankings, with the initial objective being to validate the preseason standing through on-court results.
