The Florida Gators are ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press preseason men’s college basketball Top 25 poll, with multiple outlets highlighting the team as an “overwhelming” choice. The poll sets the ranking order for the start of the 2026–27 season.
Across coverage, Duke and Illinois are identified as the teams next in line behind Florida, and both also receive first-place votes. Several reports note that this is Florida’s first preseason No. 1 ranking since 2006. One outlet also adds context on Michigan, which opens the season ranked 16th after changes involving replacing multiple starters and its head coach.
Other stories focus on what the preseason poll implies for the season ahead, including matchups and expected lineups, while the core standings remain consistent: Florida is at the top, with Duke and Illinois following, and the rest of the Top 25 filling out the preseason expectations.
