The Orange and Blue had been ranked in the penultimate poll last spring, but an early exit from the NCAA Tournament resulted in being dropped from No. 23 to a de facto ranking of No. 27 with 44 points. The last time Florida began their hoops campaign among the top 25 was in 2019 when the Gators opened up at No. 6 in the nation.

Flordia football defended its home field on homecoming last weekend, routing the visiting Kentucky Wildcats, 48-20, en route to the Gators' fourth win in seven tries this season and second in four Southeastern Conference matchups.

The Gator Nation got some much-needed encouragement from the Florida football program last Saturday — on homecoming, no less — when their beloved team blew out the Kentucky Wildcats in the Swamp, 48-20.