UCLA jumps into top 10 of men’s AP Top 25 basketball poll as Florida, Duke, Illini lead the rankings

UCLA climbed into the top 10 in the first regular-season AP Top 25 men's college basketball poll of the season on Monday while Florida remained No.

Key points

• 1 team in America, Florida coach Todd Golden remarked.
• Next up for the Gators is a rivalry game against Florida State.
• The Gators, who began the season with wins over then-No.

What happened

Notably, the Gators, who began the season with wins over then-No. 14 Miami and Jacksonville, earned six more first place-votes and had 53 of the 60 from a national media panel. Duke earned the other seven first-place votes, Illinois held down No. 3 in the poll, and UConn was fourth after winning an NCAA championship game rematch with then-No. 16 Michigan on Friday night.

"I talked to the guys regarding Tuesday night. We're going into enemy territory as the No. 1 team in America, " Florida coach Todd Golden remarked. "We're going to get their best shot, and they're going to be well-prepared, and we have to bring our best effort."

The bottom line

In short, UCLA jumps into top 10 of mens AP Top 25 basketball poll is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.