2026–27 College Basketball Season Preview: Florida Headlines Preseason AP Top 25

Ralph Garcia Published: October 27, 2026 at 12:00 am | Updated: October 26, 2026 at 5:04 pm 3 minutes read

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The long-awaited return of college basketball is right around the corner, and the landscape for the 2026–27 NCAA men’s basketball season promises high-octane intrigue. With the Associated Press Preseason Top 25 officially unveiled, programs across the country are preparing to embark on the journey toward the 2027 Final Four in Detroit.

From reigning powerhouses aiming to preserve their throne to dark-horse contenders hunting deep March runs, the stage is set for a wild opening stretch. The race to March Madness is officially underway.

Preseason Top 25 Headlines: Florida Claims No. 1 Spot

Todd Golden’s Florida Gators take center stage as the preseason AP No. 1 team in the nation. Florida retains a dominant, physical frontcourt anchored by senior forward-center Alex Condon—who turned down the NBA Draft after averaging 15.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last season—alongside Thomas Haugh and Rueben Chinyelu. Paired with second-year breakout guard Boogie Fland, Florida enters November as the clear team to beat.

Jon Scheyer’s Duke Blue Devils follow at No. 2, retooling their rotation following high-profile draft departures. Meanwhile, Brad Underwood’s Illinois Fighting Illini clock in at No. 3, boasting one of the most explosive offensive backcourts in the Big Ten.

Dan Hurley’s UConn Huskies take the No. 4 ranking, seeking a third national championship in four seasons, while Tommy Lloyd’s Arizona Wildcats round out the top five.

adding to the collection https://t.co/pyzqWIJopn

— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) October 24, 2026

AP Preseason Top 10

Florida Gators
Duke Blue Devils
Illinois Fighting Illini
UConn Huskies
Arizona Wildcats
Michigan State Spartans
Texas Longhorns
Tennessee Volunteers
Virginia Cavaliers
Houston Cougars

Dark Horses to Watch: St. John’s, Louisville, and Illinois State

While top-tier blue bloods dominate headlines, several programs outside the top 10 are primed to exceed expectations:

St. John’s Red Storm (No. 13): Rick Pitino enters year three in Queens with a roster deep in veteran transfer talent and lethal perimeter defense. The Red Storm could easily challenge UConn for Big East dominance.

Louisville Cardinals (No. 11): Pat Kelsey’s high-tempo, heavy three-point shooting scheme has revitalized the KFC Yum! Center. With high-level portal acquisitions, Louisville is built for a major leap.

Nebraska & Purdue: Receiving votes just outside the top 25, Matt Painter’s Purdue squad and Fred Hoiberg’s Cornhuskers both possess the structural depth to crash the top rankings early in non-conference play.

Blockbuster Opening Week Showcase

The official regular-season tip-off begins historically on Sunday, November 1, with the Eternal City Tip-Off live from PalaLottomatica in Rome, Italy, featuring a matchup between the Villanova Wildcats and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

The action hits full volume on Monday, November 2, headlined by a marquee top-20 showdown at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. Top-ranked Florida faces in-state rival No. 14 Miami, where Alex Condon and Boogie Fland will go toe-to-toe with Miami’s backcourt in an early-season test.

Concurrently, No. 2 Duke hosts Army at Cameron Indoor Stadium, while Mark Pope’s Kentucky Wildcats and Bill Self’s Kansas Jayhawks look to launch their respective non-conference slates with authority. With elite matchups right out of the gate, the 2026–27 college basketball season is set to deliver fireworks from day one.