Image Credit: UAA
The reigning national champion Florida Gators began the 2025-26 college basketball season with the greatest expectations surrounding the program in two decades. That was solidified with a No. 3 ranking in the preseason polls — UF’s highest placement entering a season in 19 years — which likely meant the only direction Florida would head as the campaign progressed was slightly downward.
That decline stalled last week as the Gators won consecutive games in dominant fashion. Florida whipped Saint Francis by 41 points on Wednesday for its second-biggest win under head coach Todd Golden, following with a 30-point win over Colgate on Sunday.
In the latter game, four Gators scored in double figures with junior forward Alex Condon and junior center Rueben Chinyelu both registering double-doubles, and senior guard Xavian Lee scoring 19 points despite going 1 of 5 from downtown.
UF moved up one spot Monday, rising to No. 22 in the AP Top 25, its second-lowest ranking of the season. It was similarly placed No. 22 in the Coaches Poll, moving down one spot in those rankings.
Arizona, which was unranked when it beat Florida in the season opener, remains the No. 1 team in the nation with UConn and Duke both in the top six, meaning three of UF’s four losses have come to the best teams in the nation.
Expectations remain high for the Gators with plenty of tests ahead. Florida has or will play eight ranked teams in this week’s top 25.
1. Arizona (38) | L 87-93 (Nov. 3)
2. Michigan (19)
3. Iowa State (1)
4 UConn | L 73-77 (Dec. 9)
5. Purdue
6. Duke (3) | L 66-67 (Dec. 2)
7. Gonzaga
8. Houston
9. Michigan State
10. BYU
11. Vanderbilt
12. North Carolina
13. Nebraska
14. Alabama
15. Texas Tech
16. Louisville
17. Kansas
18. Arkansas
19. Tennessee
20. Illinois
21. Virginia
22. Florida
23. Georgia
24. USC
25. Iowa
