Gators Claim No. 1 Spot in Final AP Top 25

The Florida Gators finish the 2024-2025 men’s college basketball season atop the final Associated Press Top 25 poll after winning the national championship. 

The Gators (36–4) edged out Houston (35-5) in a 65–63 thriller on Monday night to secure the program’s third NCAA title and first since winning back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007.

YOUR 2025 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS. pic.twitter.com/cFxOQ4NnJt

— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) April 8, 2025

The victory marks Florida’s return to No. 1 in the AP Poll for the first time since the final weeks of the 2013-2014 season. The Gators’ postseason run caps a season filled with movement at the top, as they become the fifth team to claim the No. 1 ranking at some point during the year.

Houston holds steady at No. 2 in the final rankings, while Auburn remains at No. 4. Duke, which fell to Houston in a narrow 70–67 loss in the national semifinal, drops two spots to No. 3.

The SEC dominates the final poll, with eight teams earning spots, the most of any conference this season.

The top ranking changed hands frequently throughout the season, beginning with Kansas in the preseason and through the first month. Tennessee then claimed the top spot for five weeks before Auburn took over for an eight-week stretch. Duke entered March Madness at No. 1 but was overtaken by Florida after the Gators’ title-winning performance.

Florida’s championship and climb to No. 1 reflects a dynamic season marked by parity, late-season surges and strong showings from the SEC.