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Florida takes top overall seed in ESPN's first bracketology for 2027
TL;DR
Florida has been named the top overall seed in ESPN's first bracketology for the 2027 NCAA Tournament. The Gators are expected to have a strong roster with several returning players from previous seasons.
Key points
- Florida is the top overall seed in ESPN's 2027 bracketology.
- The Gators are returning key players from the 2026 team.
- Todd Golden has eight players committed to returning.
- Rueben Chinyelu is testing the draft waters but may return.
- Denzel Aberdeen's transfer is pending NCAA waiver approval.
Florida GatorsRueben ChinyeluThomas HaughAlex Condon
Less than a month since the dust settled following the 2026 NCAA Tournament and ESPN's Joe Lunardi is already offering his opening takes on the next edition of March Madness in his initial 2027 bracketology.
The Gator Nation will be pleased with his first projections for the Big Dance, which have Florida not just as the South Region's top seed, but also the No. 1 overall seed in his bracketology. With a roster that is bringing back a lion's share of the players featured on the 2026 team — which also includes a few holdovers from the 2025 national championship squad — it is hard not to favor the Orange and Blue early on.
Todd Golden already has eight players committed to returning for the upcoming campaign, most notably forwards Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon, who backed out of the NBA draft and recently announced their return to Gainesville. Meanwhile, college basketball's Defensive Player of the Year, center Rueben Chinyelu, is testing the draft waters but has said he will come back to his team if he withdraws.
Florida's roster will also be bolstered by bringing guards Boogie Fland, Urban Klavzar, Isaiah Brown, AJ Brown, Alex Lloyd and Alex Kovatchev back into the fold; guard Denzel Aberdeen was re-acquired through the transfer portal but is still awaiting approval of his fifth-year waiver from the NCAA.
The only significant losses were those of starting guard Xaivian Lee, who ran out of eligibility, and backup center Micah Handlogten, whose eligibility also expired but still entered the transfer portal while requesting a waiver for his relinquished medical redshirt in 2025. The Gators' 7-foot-9-inch center, rising redshirt sophomore Olivier Rioux, also entered the transfer portal but was not expected to play a large role in the team moving forward.
Top seeds in ESPN's 2027 bracketology
While Florida holds both the top overall seed as well as the No. 1 spot in the East, the reigning national champion Michigan Wolverines are the No. 1 seed in the Midwest, the Michigan State Spartans hold the top spot in the West, and the sit atop the South with the No. 1 seed.
Q&A
Why is Florida considered the top seed in the 2027 bracketology?
Florida is considered the top seed due to a strong returning roster, including key players from the 2026 team and holdovers from the 2025 national championship squad.
Who are the notable returning players for Florida in 2027?
Notable returning players include forwards Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon, as well as Defensive Player of the Year Rueben Chinyelu.
What impact does Denzel Aberdeen's transfer have on Florida's roster?
Denzel Aberdeen's transfer adds depth to Florida's roster, but his participation is pending approval of his fifth-year waiver from the NCAA.
What is the significance of Joe Lunardi's bracketology for college basketball fans?
Joe Lunardi's bracketology provides early predictions for the NCAA Tournament, generating excitement and discussion among college basketball fans about potential matchups and team performances.
