Gators Hit the Ground Running at No. 3 in AP Poll
Fresh off a national title, Florida debuted at No. 3 in the AP Top 25 behind only Purdue and Houston. Head coach Todd Golden boasts a 76-33 record over three seasons, with a 36-4 mark in 2024–25. After losing most of last year’s backcourt to the NBA and transfers, Golden replenished the roster with Boogie Fland, Xaivian Lee, AJ Brown and top recruit Alex Lloyd. Guards Urban Klavzar, Isaiah Brown and Alex Kovatchev await rotation minutes. The Gators return their entire frontcourt—projected first-rounders Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh plus Rueben Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten—anchoring their title defense. Florida opens Nov. 3 against Arizona in Las Vegas on TNT.
Surely nothing screams “defending national champions” like a No. 3 preseason ranking—because when you’re already holding the crystal ball, why not have everyone else believe they might actually matter? Coach Golden, ever the bravado maestro, managed to juggle more comings and goings than a Florida airport, swapping pro prospects for fresh faces like a mad scientist concocting a superteam. Fear not, fans: with a frontcourt healthier than a kale smoothie and guard backups enough to start a five-on-five that could beat your weekend pick-up squad, the Gators are in mint condition—aside from that pesky doubt about whether preseason hype translates to mid-January glory. But hey, at least the projections say they’ll stay upright through tipoff. Pass the sunscreen—this ride’s about to get bright.
SEC Scene Stealer: Three Gators Snag Preseason Nods
Florida placed three players on the Preseason All-SEC teams, including First-Team selection Alex Condon. The 6-foot-11 junior returns as the Gators’ top scorer (10.6 ppg) after testing the NBA waters. Thomas Haugh (9.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and transfer guard Boogie Fland (13.5 ppg, 1.5 spg) earned Second-Team honors. Coach Todd Golden plans to maximize frontcourt minutes by staggered lineups, while new leader roles await Condon and Haugh. Florida, ranked No. 3 in the AP Poll, opens its title defense Nov. 3 in Las Vegas against Arizona, facing a challenging nonconference slate that includes Duke and UConn.
Ah, the magical world of preseason awards, where impressions count more than actual games. Alex Condon strategically declined his NBA invite to lord over Gainesville again, because nothing says “I’m essential” like refusing a multimillion-dollar contract. Meanwhile, Tommy Haugh moves from bench blur to starting blur, and Boogie Fland arrives brandishing Steal Machines™ credentials. Coach Golden, ever the cunning schmoozer, is already planning Houdini-style frontcourt lineups so no opponent ever knows what hit them. And if you think a brag sheet of preseason honors guarantees a flawless campaign, buckle up—Florida’s happy vibes still haven’t met the real test: losing a game. But who cares? For now, it’s all confetti and crystal ball rib-rattling until someone actually tips in a ball.
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