Florida tops preseason AP college basketball poll

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 17:38 · Archive

Florida has been ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP Top 25 men's college basketball poll, receiving 47 of 59 first-place votes from national media. It is the first time coach Todd Golden's team has topped the poll since the final poll in 2025, after they won the school's third national championship by beating Houston. Duke was second with 10 first-place votes and Illinois third with two.

Last season, Florida started at No. 3 but crashed out of the poll entirely by early January. The team rallied to win the Southeastern Conference regular-season championship but was stunned by Iowa as a No. 1 seed in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Golden said he believes his team is more prepared this year for early-season expectations, having learned from that experience. He stressed that winning a national championship is what he expects the programme to achieve every season.

How it is being reported

• Florida is No. 1 in preseason AP Top 25 men's poll as Duke, Illini also receive first-place votesFlorida starts the men's college basketball season ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP Top 25.Clickorlando · 19 Oct, 16:59
• Florida is No. 1 in preseason AP Top 25 men's poll as Duke, Illini also receive first-place votesFlorida starts the men's college basketball season ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP Top 25.News4Jax · 19 Oct, 16:59

In this story: Florida · Todd Golden · Duke · Illinois · Houston · Iowa

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