The 2025-26 men’s college basketball campaign ended on Saturday and March Madness is officially on the menu.
Among the teams crossing the finishing line on a high note are the Florida Gators, who rode an 11-game winning streak — as well as a stretch of 16 victories in 17 tries — back up the rankings and bracketologies to emerge as a primary contender for the national title.
Speaking of rankings, the AP Top 25 voters continued their bullish outlook on the Orange and Blue in their latest poll, moving Todd Golden’s team up a spot to No. 4 in the country — Florida’s highest ranking since starting the season at No. 3. The Michigan Wolverines are just ahead of them at No. 3, while last year’s championship runenrs-up, the Houston Cougars, just behind at No. 5.
The USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll agrees with the AP, also elevating the Gators to a No. 4 ranking at the conclusion of the regular-season schedule.
SEC schools in AP Top 25 at regular season end
The Southeastern Conference maintained its five-school count this week in the poll once again, with Florida headlining the league at No. 4. The Alabama Crimson Tide moved up a spot to No. 15, while the Arkansas Razorbacks got a three-spot bump to No. 17; the Vanderbilt Commodores moved up two spots to No. 22 and the Tennessee Volunteers fell two spots, barely hanging on at No. 25.
The Georgia Bulldogs earned 10 votes and the Missouri Tigers earned a pair to round out the league’s representation in the poll.
AP Top 25 Men’s Basketball rankings at regular season end
Others receiving votes:
Miami 60, TCU 19, BYU 18, Saint Louis 12, High Point 11, Georgia 10, Villanova 10, UCLA 3, VCU 3, Stephen F Austin 2, Utah St. 2, Ohio St. 2, Missouri 2, Akron 1.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: AP Poll promotes Florida basketball into top 4 to end regular season
Reporting by Adam Dubbin, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
