The difference a year makes: Gators open 2025-26 respected in rankings

Florida head basketball coach Todd Golden talks about the upcoming season on the first official day of basketball practice at University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Monday, September 22, 2025. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun] | Alan Youngblood / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesLooking back at the 2024-25 season, it is somewhat humorous to reflect on the narrative surrounding Florida Basketball prior to the season. The Gators were ranked in the AP Preseason Top 25, but they were also seen as a squad with numerous question marks that needed to be answered, and no one had Florida on their radar to win a national title.

Fast forward a year later, and there is nowhere to hide for Florida…