Florida basketball will open the 2025-26 season ranked No. 3 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll, trailing only Purdue and Houston as the Gators look to defend their national championship under head coach Todd Golden.
It’s a historic placement for the Orange and Blue, marking just the second time in program history the Gators have been ranked in the preseason top five (No. 1 in 2006-07) and the 14th time they’ve opened a season in the top 10.
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The ranking comes after Florida’s unforgettable national championship over Houston last spring, cementing the program’s return to college basketball’s elite.
This season’s Florida roster will look a little different, but the expectations remain sky-high. Golden rebuilt the backcourt through the transfer portal, adding guards Boogie Fland, Xaivian Lee and others to pair with a returning frontcourt from last year’s title team that includes Reuben Chinyelu, Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh.
Here’s a look at the full preseason AP Top 25.
Men’s basketball preseason AP Top 25 poll
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When does Florida’s season tip off?
Florida will begin their season against the No. 13 Arizona Wildcats at the Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas, Nevada on Monday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. ET. That game will be televised on TNT.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida basketball cracks top three in preseason AP Top 25 poll
