College basketball rankings: Florida Gators continue rise near summit of AP Top 25 poll

Basketball

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Image Credit: Victoria Riccobono, 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 meant the only direction Florida would head as the campaign progressed was slightly downward.

That decline took the Gators all the way out of the rankings, though they quickly bounced back into the top 25 and now remain on an upward trajectory, winning five straight games and nine of their last 10 while dominating SEC competition for the second straight year.

At 10-2 in SEC play, UF is ahead of its pace from last season, and it’s beating opponents more definitively, too. Plus, three of its six losses are to teams ranked among the top five teams in the nation — all occurring away from home in November and December.

Florida moved up two spots Monday, rising to No. 14 in the AP Top 25. It moved up three slots to No. 11 in the Coaches Poll.

Expectations remain high for the Gators with plenty of tests ahead. Florida has or will play six teams ranked in this week’s top 25.

AP Top 25, Feb. 16

1. Michigan
2. Houston
3. Duke (3) | L 66-67 (Dec. 2)
4. Arizona (38) | L 87-93 (Nov. 3)
5. UConn | L 73-77 (Dec. 9)
6. Iowa State
7. Purdue
8. Kansas
9. Nebraska
10. Illinois
11. Gonzaga
12. Florida
13. Texas Tech
14. Virginia
15. Michigan State
16. North Carolina
17. St. John’s
18. Saint Louis
19. Vanderbilt | W 98-94 (Jan. 17)
20. Arkansas | Feb. 28
21. Louisville
22. Miami (Ohio)
23. BYU
24. Wisconsin
25. Alabama | W 100-77 (Feb. 1)