After a few weeks of sliding in the AP Top 25, Florida basketball is finally trending in the right direction again - and they’ve got the scoreboard to thank for it.
Coming off a split week that included a gritty battle with UConn and a win over George Washington, the Gators entered the latest rankings at No. 23.
But after a dominant homestand that saw them dismantle St. Francis 102-61 on Wednesday and roll past Colgate 90-60 on Saturday, Florida has climbed one spot to No. 22 heading into the Christmas break.
Those two blowout wins weren’t just stat-padding affairs - they were statement games. The Gators looked sharp, confident, and in control on both ends of the floor.
Offensively, they pushed the pace and shared the ball with authority. Defensively, they tightened the screws and never let either opponent get comfortable.
It’s the kind of momentum you want heading into the heart of SEC play.
Florida now finds itself nestled between No. 21 Virginia and No.
23 Georgia in the rankings. That Georgia team, of course, is led by former Gators head coach Mike White - a storyline that’s bound to add some extra spice when those teams eventually meet.
SEC Snapshot After Week 7
The SEC is still well-represented in the AP Top 25, but the conference took a bit of a hit this week with Auburn falling out of the rankings. That leaves six SEC teams in the Top 25, though none cracked the top 10.
Vanderbilt leads the SEC pack at No. 11, continuing their steady rise with another two-spot bump. Alabama checks in at No. 14, followed by Arkansas at No. 18 and Tennessee at No.
- Then it’s Florida at No. 22 and Georgia rounding out the group at No.
Just outside the official rankings, Kentucky is knocking on the door with 78 votes - essentially putting them at No. 26. Auburn (39 votes) and LSU (17) also earned some recognition, though not quite enough to make the cut this time around.
AP Top 25 Highlights After Week 7
At the top of the national landscape, Arizona continues to hold firm at No. 1, with Michigan, Iowa State, and UConn rounding out the top four. Purdue, Duke, Gonzaga, and Houston are all still very much in the mix, while Michigan State and BYU round out the top 10.
Here’s where things stand for SEC teams in the Top 25:
- Vanderbilt - No. 11
- Alabama - No. 14
- Arkansas - No. 18
- Tennessee - No. 19
- Florida - No. 22
- Georgia - No. 23
And just outside the rankings:
- Kentucky - 78 votes
- Auburn - 39 votes
- LSU - 17 votes
For Florida, the climb back up the rankings is a promising sign - not just for the number next to their name, but for how they’re playing. If they can carry this momentum into conference play, the Gators could be a serious factor in what’s shaping up to be a wide-open SEC race.