Image Credit: Maddie Washburn, UAA

The reigning national champion Florida Gators will enter the 2026 NCAA Tournament still on top of the college basketball world. For the second straight season, Florida has earned a No. 1 seed in March Madness, accomplishing the feat across consecutive campaigns for the first time in program history.

The Gators previously received No. 1 seeds in 2007 and 2014. They are 16-1 all-time when entering the NCAA Tournament from such a position, advancing to the Final Four in all three prior opportunities and winning national championships in 2007 and 2026.

Florida is listed as the fourth No. 1 seed and the top team in the South Region. UF begins play on Friday in Tampa, Florida, against a No. 16-seed, either Prairie View A&M or Lehigh, which will play one another in First Four action. Broadcast information has yet to be announced.

The top seeds in the South Region behind Florida are No. 2 Houston, No. 3 Illinois and No. 4 Nebraska. Vanderbilt is the No. 5 seed; the Commodores could play the Gators in the Sweet 16 after dominating them 91-74 in the 2026 SEC Tournament semifinals on Saturday.

Should UF advance out of its first game, it would face either No. 8 seed Clemson or No. 9 seed Iowa in the second round.

Florida locked up the No. 1 seed for 2026 March Madness given its tremendous play in the SEC, which was competitive all season. The Gators won their first SEC regular-season title since 2014 but missed out on sweeping conference competition. Six of the seven teams UF lost to this season have qualified for the NCAA Tournament.

Florida is 51-20 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. Last season was the first time it advanced past the opening weekend since 2017.

The Gators are seeking their seventh Final Four appearance (1994, 2000, 2006-07, 2014, 2025) and fourth national championship (2006-07, 2025) in program history.

Todd Golden became the second-youngest coach to win a national championship in Division I history last season. He is one of only two coaches (Billy Donovan) to lead Florida to a No. 1 seed in March Madness.