Florida dominated the first major coaches survey of the 2026-27 college basketball season.
Duke, Tennessee, UConn and Illinois followed. Arizona, Louisville, Michigan State and Texas also received at least one vote.
Virginia received none.
That omission may prove to be one of the strangest results from CBS Sports’ Candid Coaches poll.
Nearly 100 Division I coaches participated in the survey, which asked them to identify the team they believe will be the best in college basketball. Nine programs earned support, but the Cavaliers were completely shut out despite returning a substantial portion of a roster that earned a No. 3 seed last season.
Next up in our Candid Coaches series is another we ask every year.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) August 21, 2026
Who's going to be the best team this season?@CBSSports surveyed nearly 100 coaches. Nine schools got at least one vote. Here are the results:https://t.co/hYBjSjzcPX
CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander identified Virginia as the best team not to receive a vote.
That distinction should tell college basketball fans two things. The field is loaded, and Ryan Odom’s team is being dangerously overlooked.
Virginia has already proved it can win under Ryan Odom
Odom did not need a lengthy rebuilding period to make Virginia relevant again.
The Cavaliers produced a strong debut season under their new coach and established a foundation capable of challenging Duke and Louisville atop the ACC. Now, they bring back enough of that roster to build on the success instead of beginning another major renovation.
Continuity is becoming an increasingly valuable commodity in college basketball.
Many high-profile programs used large financial resources to acquire immediate talent this offseason. Louisville and Texas spent aggressively, while Tennessee reportedly invested north of $15 million in a roster designed to reach the Final Four.
Virginia’s appeal is different.
The Cavaliers already know Odom’s system. Their returning players have experienced meaningful games together, understand their roles and proved they can perform at a level worthy of a top-three NCAA Tournament seed.
That does not automatically make Virginia better than Florida or Duke. The Cavaliers still need to demonstrate that they possess enough top-end talent to survive six games against championship-caliber opponents in March.
However, receiving no votes feels like an overcorrection.
Arizona’s support depended partly on whether its fifth-year players receive eligibility. Michigan State received votes largely because Jeremy Fears Jr. could become the best player in the country. Louisville and Texas generated enthusiasm after expensive roster overhauls.
Virginia, meanwhile, appears to have been penalized for lacking one dramatic offseason storyline.
The Cavaliers do not need August recognition to win the ACC or make a deep tournament run. They merely need their returning core to continue developing within Odom’s system.
By the time the coaches’ official preseason poll arrives, ignoring Virginia may no longer be possible.
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