Purdue University maintained its position as the top team in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll, securing the No. 1 ranking for another week. The Boilermakers, who boast a perfect record of 6-0, received 46 out of 61 first-place votes following a dominant victory over then-No. 15 Texas Tech. This decisive 30-point win clinched the Baha Mar Championship held in the Bahamas.
In a notable rise, the Arizona Wildcats jumped to No. 2 after earning 11 first-place votes. Arizona’s ascent in the rankings follows an impressive month that included victories against several ranked opponents. Their recent triumph over then-No. 3 UConn significantly contributed to their upward momentum. Earlier, the Wildcats also defeated reigning NCAA champion Florida in Las Vegas and secured a win against a ranked UCLA team in Los Angeles.
Top Teams Adjusted in Latest Rankings
Arizona started the season ranked No. 13 in the preseason AP Top 25. After their significant win against Florida, they climbed to No. 5 and moved to No. 4 last week. Houston, which held the No. 1 ranking for a week earlier this month, has now slipped to No. 3 to accommodate Arizona’s rise. Duke and UConn complete the top five, showcasing a competitive landscape in college basketball.
The top ten is rounded out by Louisville, Michigan, Alabama, BYU, and Florida. Notably, Alabama made a significant leap, rising from No. 11 to join the elite ranks. New entries in this week’s poll include No. 24 Vanderbilt and No. 25 Indiana, which replaced Wisconsin and Kansas. This marks the second consecutive year that Kansas has fallen out of the rankings at least once. Historically, the Jayhawks have been a consistent presence in the polls, having been ranked in every poll but one since the 2009-10 season.
This week’s poll reflects the dynamic nature of college basketball as teams compete fiercely for position in the early stages of the season. With several high-stakes games on the horizon, the rankings are likely to continue shifting as teams vie for supremacy.
