National analyst throws cold water on a Florida repeat

In good news for Florida Gator fans, basketball season is right around the corner. Florida is ranked 1st by our Fansided sister site Busting Brackets, 2nd in the KenPom rankings, and was just voted 3rd in the preseason AP Top 25 poll. Unlike last season, the Gators won't sneak up on anyone.

But there is at least one national analyst who isn't 100% sold that Florida is a lock to return to the Final Four in 2026.

Are there red flags that exist for Florida?

Fox Sports Radio national analyst Aaron Torres tweeted out that he thinks Florida is a bit overranked at No. 3 in the country:

"FWIW - Florida is the one team I seemingly disagree with virtually every other media member on. Think they are No. 10-15, not Top 5. Boogie Fland needs to prove he can play winning hoops + its a big step up for Xavian Lee.

Arizona is the most overlooked team in America IMO"

These are not unfair concerns to have. Florida had to replace its entire backcourt coming into the new year. Boogie Fland was a massive addition through the transfer portal and a huge reason why Florida is still favored among the elites. When he was healthy last year, he was playing "winning hoops."

Xavian Lee will need to adjust to the higher-level competition, but if there is anyone who can be trusted to find transfer portal talent, it's Todd Golden.

But even if one has concerns about Florida's guards, the fact that the Gators have returned its entire front court, and the fact they are going to experiment with Thomas Haugh playing the 3 spot, means Florida is going to continue to enjoy one of its not-so-hidden aspects that helped lead them to a national title:

Size.

Almost no one last year could match Florida's size, and almost no one this year will either.

Obviously, Florida has to show it can all come together again, and the dark-horse team that Torres picked out, Arizona, just happens to be Florida's first opponent for the 2025-26 season.