Gator Men's Hoops Preseason No. 1 In Coaches' Poll
Friday, October 27, 2006 | Men's Basketball
The University of Florida men's basketball team will open the 2006-07 season in the same position it closed last season - No. 1 in the land. The Gators were selected No. 1 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Preseason Poll, released on Friday morning.
The Gators received 30 of 31 first place votes. The University of North Carolina followed the Gators at No. 2, while Kansas and Ohio State, both opponents for the Gators this season, ranked No. 3 and No. 4 respectively. Ohio State received the lone first place vote not claimed by the Gators.
Other SEC teams in the preseason poll include No. 7 LSU, No. 12 Alabama, No. 22 Kentucky and No. 24 Tennessee.
It marks the first time the Gators have ever opened a season ranked No. 1. The highest the Gators had ever been ranked in the Coaches' poll to open the season was No. 5 prior to the 2001-02 season. It's the fourth time overall the Gators have been ranked No. 1. They reached the top of the rankings for one week in both the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons before finishing the year ranked No. 1 last year.
The Gators open exhibition play on Nov. 2 against Northwood and open the regular season on Nov. 10 against Samford.
Gators in the Preseason National Rankings Since 1999
Year ESPN/USA Today AP
2006-07 1 TBA
2005-06 RV RV
2004-05 22 23
2003-04 8 8
2002-03 7 7
2001-02 5 6
2000-01 11 11
1999-00 8 8
