USA TODAY Sports says Florida basketball can win 2026 NCAA Tournament

Florida basketball is among the 13 teams that can win the 2026 NCAA Tournament, according to USA TODAY Sports.

USA TODAY Sports' Austin Curtright's list features a blend of traditional powers and high-level contenders: Florida Gators, Michigan Wolverines, Duke Blue Devils, Arizona Wildcats, Houston Cougars, Illinois Fighting Illini, Purdue Boilermakers, Michigan State Spartans, Iowa State Cyclones, Kansas Jayhawks, UConn Huskies, Gonzaga Bulldogs and Arkansas Razorbacks.

The inclusion reflects how complete Todd Golden's Florida basketball program has become over the course of the season. The Gators have shown they can win with offense, win through physicality and most importantly, win on the glass. That versatility matters in March, where matchups change quickly and teams rarely advance playing just one style of basketball.

On top of that, Florida's ability to score in bunches while still defending at a high level has made it difficult for opponents to dictate terms. It also speaks to consistency.

Florida has stacked quality wins, handled teams they were supposed to beat and avoided the prolonged slumps that tend to sink tournament hopes. National analysts tend to look for teams that don't rely solely on hot shooting or one-star performances, and the Orange and Blue have checked that box throughout conference play.

Game after game, there's always a different guy stepping up when needed. Whether it's Xaivian Lee, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu, Alex Condon or even Urban Klavzar off the bench, this roster is deep and is built like a team poised for a run in March.

What USA TODAY Sports said about Florida

"Reigning national champion Florida lost its three starting guards from last season's team – March Madness hero Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin and Will Richard. However, the Gators' frontcourt trio of Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu all returned, and form perhaps the best group of big men in the country.

"Haugh, Condon and Chinyelu are averaging 17.3, 14 and 11.5 points per game this season, respectively. They're also averaging a combined 26 rebounds per game, and Chinyelu leads all players nationally with 11.6 boards per contest.

"The guard play has been suspect at times this season, but the Gators are rolling as of late with a 12-2 record in conference play. Florida could go as far as starting guards Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee take them, or its frontcourt could continue dominating and make their shaky play not even matter."

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: USA TODAY Sports says Florida basketball can win 2026 NCAA Tournament