The Florida Gators are sitting at 6-4 through their first 10 games of the 2025-26 season, and while that record might not leap off the page, it doesn’t tell the whole story. This team has been through the gauntlet early, facing one of the tougher non-conference slates in the country, and they’re still firmly in the mix for an NCAA Tournament bid.
Let’s break this down: three of those four losses came against teams ranked in the top five nationally - and none of those games were played in Gainesville. Neutral sites, hostile road environments - Florida hasn’t exactly been easing into the season.
That kind of schedule can bruise your record, but it also builds toughness and earns respect in the eyes of the selection committee. And that’s exactly what we’re seeing.
Despite the recent loss to UConn at Madison Square Garden - a game where Florida showed flashes of high-level play but ultimately came up short - the Gators bounced back with a solid win over a surprisingly competitive George Washington squad on a neutral court. That ability to regroup and respond is a good sign for head coach Todd Golden and his group as they head into the heart of SEC play.
The latest bracketology update from ESPN reflects that resilience. Florida holds steady as a No. 5 seed in the Midwest Region - no movement, no panic.
That’s a sign the committee (and bracketologists) are valuing the strength of schedule and seeing the bigger picture. This team is battle-tested, and that’s going to matter come March.
Looking at the broader bracket landscape, there’s been no shakeup among the top seeds. Michigan remains the overall No. 1 and holds down the top spot in the Midwest.
Duke, Arizona, and Iowa State continue to anchor the East, West, and South regions, respectively. The big dogs are holding firm - for now.
As for the SEC, the conference continues to make noise. The league added another contender this week with LSU climbing into the field as a No. 10 seed in the Midwest, moving up from the “first four out” group into the “last four byes.” That gives the SEC a deeper presence and underscores just how competitive this league is shaping up to be.
Alabama and Vanderbilt remain the SEC’s highest-seeded squads, both sitting at No. 3, though they’ve shifted regions - Alabama now in the East, Vanderbilt in the Midwest. Arkansas checks in with a strong No. 4 seed in the West, while Florida sits right behind them in the Midwest at No.
- Tennessee and Auburn are both holding steady as No. 6 seeds in the South and West, respectively.
Rounding out the SEC’s representation: Georgia grabs a No. 7 seed in the West, Kentucky is slotted at No. 9 in the South, and LSU, as mentioned, is back in the mix at No. 10 in the Midwest. Oklahoma, meanwhile, remains just outside the field, sitting among the first four out.
So while the Gators’ win-loss record might not scream dominance, the context tells a more encouraging story. This team has been tested early, and they’re still standing. With SEC play on the horizon, they’ve got a chance to build momentum - and their résumé - as the road to March heats up.