Field Level Media college basketball writers submitted ballots for their Top 25 men’s basketball teams entering the 2026-27 season.
The poll results are in: Here’s a closer look at No. 1 Florida.
1. FLORIDA
2025-26 record: 27-8
Outlook for 2026-27: Florida returns four of five starters from a team that went 16-2 in the Southeastern Conference and earned its second straight No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. It’s quite possible the Gators make that three in a row come March.
What we like: Alex Condon (15.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg) is, somewhat surprisingly, back after being a preseason All-American a year ago. Pair him with Thomas Haugh (17.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year Rueben Chinyelu (10.9 ppg, 11.2 rpg), and you have the most formidable frontcourt in the country.
Trouble ahead: Florida gets a test from the jump, opening with a ranked matchup against Miami in Tampa on Nov. 2. A home game against Duke on Dec. 1 will be a real nonconference litmus test for the Gators.
Top newcomer: The only change to the starting lineup is Denzel Aberdeen, who returns to Gainesville after a season at Kentucky and was given a fifth year of eligibility in court last month. Previously a rotation player at Florida, he blew up last season in Lexington, averaging 13.5 points per game.
–Field Level Media
