Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Associated Press announced its preseason men's basketball top 25 on Monday, with the Florida Gators checking in at No. 6.
 
It matches the Gators' second-highest preseason ranking in program history, behind only UF's 2006-07 campaign debuting at No. 1. Florida also opened at No. 6 in the 2001-02 season. It marks Florida's 13th time opening the season in the AP's top 10, including the second under Mike White. Previously under White's watch, the Gators opened at No. 8 in the 2017-18 season and climbed as high as No. 5 later that season.
 
Florida's roster boasts a host of young talent, as all three returning starters from last season's squad are sophomores, pairing with a six-man freshman class highlighted by McDonald's All-Americans Scottie Lewis and Tre Mann. The veteran presence comes from graduate transfer Kerry Blackshear, the team's lone senior, along with a pair of juniors in the post in Dontay Bassett and Gorjok Gak.
 
Florida hosts an exhibition game vs. Lynn University on Oct. 29 before tipping the regular season on Nov. 5 vs. North Florida.
 
Season tickets and single-game tickets are both available now.

AP Preseason Top 25

1. Michigan State
2. *Kentucky
3. Kansas
4. Duke
5. Louisville
6. Florida
7. Maryland
8. Gonzaga
9. North Carolina
10. Villanova
11. Virginia
12. Seton Hall
13. Texas Tech
14. Memphis
15. Oregon
16. *Baylor
17. *Utah State
18. Ohio State
19. ^Xavier
20. Saint Mary's
21. Arizona
22. *LSU
23. Purdue
24. *Auburn
25. VCU

*2019-20 Florida opponent; ^Possible Florida opponent at Charleston Classic

Preseason Top 10 AP Rankings
1994-95: #10
1999-2000: #8
2001-02: #6
2002-03: #7
2003-04: #8
2006-07: #1
2010-11: #9
2011-12: #8
2012-13: #10
2013-14: #10
2014-15: #7
2017-18: #8
2019-20: #6