Close to making the preseason Top 25

#27 is a good place. We'll know quickly if we deserve it.

 

My first thought was is this a basketball poll?
lol!

Some of Florida's opponents' projected line-ups:
Last season Florida played a lot of SW16 teams like NC UConn, FF4 FAU, etc. I am not sure if UF will play them again this season!

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5. UConn Huskies
Previous: 9

UConn opened the offseason at No. 1 following its dominant national championship run, then dropped several spots after the departures of Adama Sanogo and Andre Jackson to the NBA draft. But Dan Hurley got Tristen Newton back, and also brings in a top-five recruiting class that includes four ESPN 100 prospects. Donovan Clingan is poised for a huge season down low, while Alex Karaban should take on a bigger role offensively. The addition of Rutgers transfer Cam Spencer has boosted the Huskies back into the top five thanks to his experience and high-level shooting ability.

Projected starting lineup:

Tristen Newton (9.9 PPG)
Stephon Castle (No. 15 in ESPN 100)
Cam Spencer (13.2 PPG at Rutgers)
Alex Karaban (9.5 PPG)
Donovan Clingan (7.1 PPG)
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6. Tennessee Volunteers
Previous: 5

Tennessee is one of the biggest winners of the offseason, landing Jordan Gainey (South Carolina Upstate), Chris Ledlum (Harvard) and Dalton Knecht (Northern Colorado), while also getting All-SEC guard Santiago Vescovi and veteran starter Josiah-Jordan James back for another year. The Volunteers should have more perimeter pop than they've had the past few seasons, combined with what should be an elite defense when Zakai Zeigler is healthy.

Projected starting lineup:

Zakai Zeigler (10.7 PPG)
Santiago Vescovi (12.5 PPG)
Dalton Knecht (20.2 PPG at Northern Colorado)
Josiah-Jordan James (10.0 PPG)
Jonas Aidoo (5.1 PPG)
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8. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Previous: 7

We knew Mark Few would find a way to reload his roster following the departures of Drew Timme, Julian Strawther, Rasir Bolton and Malachi Smith -- and he landed three transfers to help offset the losses: Ryan Nembhard (Creighton), Graham Ike (Wyoming) and Steele Venters (Eastern Washington). The Zags also received positive news on deadline day, with Anton Watson deciding to return to Spokane, Washington, for another year up front.

Projected starting lineup:

Ryan Nembhard (12.1 PPG at Creighton)
Nolan Hickman (7.7 PPG)
Steele Venters (15.3 PPG at Eastern Washington)
Anton Watson (11.1 PPG)
Graham Ike (19.5 PPG at Wyoming in 2021-22)
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9. Florida Atlantic Owls
Previous: 8

Ranking the Owls ninth in the country might seem lofty, given they were a 9-seed in the NCAA tournament and nearly lost to Memphis in the first round. But this is also a team that won 35 games, made a Final Four run and is bringing back all five starters. It's a testament to Dusty May that he was able to keep the core of this group together, with zero players entering the transfer portal or NBA draft. FAU is stepping up in competition to the AAC, but the Owls will be the favorite to win it in Year 1.

Projected starting lineup:

Bryan Greenlee (7.4 PPG)
Nick Boyd (8.9 PPG)
Johnell Davis (13.9 PPG)
Alijah Martin (13.1 PPG)
Vladislav Goldin (10.3 PPG)

Four starters return: Greenlee, Boyd, Davis & Goldin.
Despite a monster game by Castleton (30 pts, 12 reb, 5 blks), UF lost to FAU 74-76.
Florida Atlantic 76-74 Florida (Nov 14, 2022) Game Recap - ESPN
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14. Arkansas Razorbacks
Previous: 14

Arkansas was busy on NBA draft deadline day, seeing top recruiting target Ron Holland go to the G League, while retaining Devo Davis and losing Jordan Walsh to the NBA. Eric Musselman's team is absolutely loaded on the perimeter, with Davis and top-30 recruit Layden Blocker joining four experienced transfer guards. If Trevon Brazile is healthy, the frontcourt shouldn't be an issue, either. Cincinnati transfer Jeremiah Davenport provides a different dimension at power forward.

Projected starting lineup:

Khalif Battle (17.9 PPG at Temple)
Devo Davis (10.9 PPG)
Tramon Mark (10.1 PPG at Houston)
Trevon Brazile (11.8 PPG)
Makhi Mitchell (7.0 PPG)
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17. Miami Hurricanes
Previous: 16

Nijel Pack and Norchad Omier both tested the NBA draft waters but opted to return to Coral Gables, Florida. Those two will form one of the best inside-outside duos in the ACC next season. Jim Larranaga also replaced Jordan Miller with an ACC-proven forward in Florida State transfer Matthew Cleveland, who should add more rebounding and paint production. The Hurricanes are still in the hunt for another guard to help fill Isaiah Wong's shoes.

Projected starting lineup:

Nijel Pack (13.8 PPG)
Wooga Poplar (8.7 PPG)
Bensley Joseph (5.2 PPG)
Matthew Cleveland (13.8 PPG at Florida State)
Norchad Omier (13.3 PPG)

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18. Alabama Crimson Tide
Previous: 23

The NBA draft process was a mixed bag for Nate Oats and Alabama. Brandon Miller and Noah Clowney were expected departures, but Charles Bediako came as a surprise. Mark Sears and Jahvon Quinerly did return for another season, though. There's plenty of perimeter talent in Tuscaloosa, with Aaron Estrada (Hofstra) and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (Cal State Fullerton) entering the fold. The Tide addressed some of their frontcourt issues with the expected commitment of North Dakota State transfer Grant Nelson, but it's still thin up front.

Projected starting lineup:

Jahvon Quinerly (8.7 PPG)
Aaron Estrada (20.2 PPG at Hofstra)
Mark Sears (12.5 PPG)
Grant Nelson (17.9 PPG at North Dakota State)
Nick Pringle (3.5 PPG)

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19. Texas A&M Aggies
Previous: 17

Will the Aggies pick up where they left off in the second half of 2022-23, when they won 19 of 22 games before falling in the SEC championship game and the first round of the NCAA tournament? Having Wade Taylor IV back to run the show is a huge plus, while Buzz Williams also has three other returning starters after Tyrece Radford decided to come back. Dexter Dennis is the lone starter leaving, but transfers Jace Carter (UIC) and Eli Lawrence (Middle Tennessee) will help replace him.

Projected starting lineup:

Wade Taylor IV (16.3 PPG)
Tyrece Radford (13.3 PPG)
Jace Carter (16.6 PPG at UIC)
Henry Coleman III (9.0 PPG)
Julius Marble (9.1 PPG)

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Dancing, dancing, dancine! Were a dancing machine!!!!