SI crowns Florida No. 1 in updated way-too-early Top 25 ranking
Sports Illustrated named Florida basketball the preseason No. 1 ranked team in its way-too-early top 25. The Gators' combination of roster continuity, star retention, and elite coaching makes them one of the most complete units in the country.
Todd Golden's program returns six of its top seven scorers from a year ago, including Reuben Chinyelu, who decided to come back to Gainesville after mulling his NBA Draft potential. Chinyelu's return, along with Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh, elevates the Gators' potential in 2026-27. Following a wave of major withdrawal decisions from Florida's impact players, multiple national outlets have lifted Florida to the top spot in projections for next season.
The Gators won the SEC regular-season title last season and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament before falling to Iowa in the second round. Florida was positioned as a favorite to repeat its 2025 national championship run last season and will be, again, highly regarded for the upcoming campaign. Led by pro-level talent and aided by a depth of contributions across the roster, Florida is primed to make another push in late March.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida basketball lands atop Sports Illustrated way-too-early top 25
