After a championship defense falter, Florida reloads through the transfer portal, securing a surprising No. 1 ranking for 2026-27.
The Florida Gators struggled in the early part of the 2025-26 campaign.
After winning the national title in 2025, the Gators didn't appear to have the gear needed to beat elite teams, at least based on what happened in the non-conference part of the schedule.
Then UF went on an incredible run once SEC play started. The Gators earned a No. 1 seed and appeared ready to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
However, Iowa ended the Gators season in the second round.
Florida head coach Todd Golden was disappointed with the finish, but the team did pretty well for going through significant transitions after winning the title.
The return of Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh should make the Gators a tough out in the NCAA Tournament next year. UF is adding Denzel Aberdeen and Arturas Butajevas, and that could put the program over the top.
James Fletcher III of On3 ranked Florida No. 1 for next season after the transfer portal closed on April 21, noting that Golden has a lot of talent on the floor.
"Florida has plenty of talent set to return for the 2026-27 season, bringing back valuable pieces to the backcourt and frontcourt," Fletcher wrote.
"The latest news that Thomas Haugh will return for another season alongside Alex Condon is enough to push them into the top spot, with another international reinforcement coming."
Aberdeen was with the Gators during the national championship run before bolting to Kentucky for last season. Golden was excited for Aberdeen to return for 2026-27.
"We missed him last year and he missed us," Golden said, via The Gainesville Sun. "We're constantly evolving in this world, trying to sort out through the rev share, though the NIL, it's not always going to be a perfect discussion.
"We each sort of went our separate ways last year and that's sort of the nature of this business right now."
The experience the Gators have returning could be the key for another regular-season SEC championship and deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Florida arguably has the deepest roster in college basketball after a successful spring in the transfer portal.