CBS Sports ranks Florida as top contender for national title

Florida basketball is entering the 2026-27 season with high expectations, ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP Top 25. CBS Sports identified Florida as one of four legitimate national title contenders in its preseason Final Four tiers, alongside Duke, Illinois, and UConn. The Gators feature a strong frontcourt with Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu, and Alex Condon returning for their third season together, following their victory in the 2025 national championship. CBS Sports also anticipates improvement in the backcourt with returning players Boogie Fland, Urban Klavžar, and Denzel Aberdeen. The SEC boasts five teams ranked in the top two tiers of CBS Sports' ranking.

• 10:42 PMYahoo Sports — CBS Sports puts Florida among top national title contenders