Florida snagged that No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25, racking up 47 of 59 first-place votes, and honestly, who’s surprised? They’re the favorites for the 2027 national title after bringing back four starters from a team that earned a No. 1 seed last season. Duke, Illinois, UConn, and Arizona rounded out the top five, but while the Gators are chilling at the top, this year’s poll was a brutal puzzle for voters, mostly because so many teams are just waiting to hear about fifth-year eligibility for their key players. This poll is out, and we’ve got some serious takes on who’s too high and who’s way too low.
Michigan’s No. 16 Is A Head-Scratcher
Talk about a team that’s getting way too much credit. Michigan landed at No. 16 in the AP Top 25, but let’s be real, their roster talent is more like a low 20s squad. I even had them at No. 17 in my own predictions, and that felt generous. Remember last season when I was hyped on them to win the Big Ten? Dusty May was the coach, the talent looked stacked. Well, May’s gone to the NBA now. Add in Brandon McCoy Jr. being out for the whole season and Roddy Gayle Jr.’s eligibility still up in the air, and you’ve got a recipe for a huge step back. No joke, even if Gayle gets cleared, Michigan’s probably finishing behind USC and UCLA in the Big Ten standings, and both those teams are ranked *behind* them right now. This No. 16 ranking? It’s pure fantasy.
Don’t Sleep On No. 17 Kansas
Now, if you want to talk about a team that got shafted, look no further than Kansas at No. 17. Literally hours before the AP poll dropped, news broke that former Purdue star Trey Kaufman-Renn is joining the Jayhawks! This is a game-changer. Sure, we’re still waiting to see if TKR gets that sixth year of eligibility, and his new teammates Melvin Council Jr. and Tre White are also waiting on fifth-year decisions. But on paper, man, if those three get cleared, Kansas isn’t just a top 25 team, they are a flat-out top 10 contender. Seriously, picture a frontcourt with Kaufman-Renn and Tyran Stokes. That’s intriguing! Add White, Council, and five-star guard Taylen Kinney to the mix, and this roster is just better than what the No. 17 spot suggests. The AP poll totally missed the memo on this one.
The 2026-27 college basketball season is right around the corner, and these early rankings are already throwing some serious curveballs. While Florida looks legit at No. 1 alongside Duke, Illinois, UConn, and Arizona rounding out the top five, it’s those eligibility decisions that are going to shake things up. Keep an eye on Kansas, because once those clearances come through, they’re going to make some serious noise.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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