The newest Associated Press Top 25 for men’s college basketball, released December 22, shows a week that clarified the national picture without turning it upside down. The teams at the top continue to win, a few contenders made strong statements, and one marquee upset reshaped how voters viewed the middle of the poll.
As the calendar moves closer to conference play, the rankings are beginning to show more than just record. Quality wins, road performances, and consistency are starting to separate teams that look built for March from those still searching for their identity.
Arizona Holds No. 1 With Authority
Arizona Wildcats remain No. 1 after another convincing win, this time a 68-45 victory over San Diego State. Arizona is now 11-0, and nothing about their resume looks shaky. They are winning comfortably, defending at a high level, and avoiding the kind of games that create doubt. For voters, there was no reason to look elsewhere at the top.
Michigan Stays Close Behind at No. 2
Michigan Wolverines continue to apply pressure just behind Arizona. The Wolverines matched the Wildcats with another dominant performance, blowing out La Salle 102-50 to move to 11-0. Michigan is not just winning. They are overwhelming opponents, and the gap between No. 1 and No. 2 feels thin.
Iowa State Climbs, UConn and Purdue Hold Firm
Iowa State Cyclones moved up one spot to No. 3 after improving to 12-0 with a comfortable win over Long Beach State. Iowa State has quietly built one of the cleanest resumes in the country, and voters are rewarding that consistency.
UConn Huskies sit at No. 4, followed by Purdue Boilermakers at No. 5. Purdue’s 88-60 win over Auburn stood out as one of the more impressive results of the week and helped reinforce their spot in the top five.
Duke Slips After Texas Tech Thriller
The biggest game of the week came at Cameron Indoor Stadium, where Texas Tech Red Raiders stunned Duke Blue Devils 82-81. Duke dropped three spots to No. 6 following the loss, while Texas Tech jumped four spots to No. 15.
For Duke, the loss does not undo their strong start, but it does show how narrow the margin is at the top. For Texas Tech, the win was a major résumé boost and one that voters could not ignore.
Familiar Faces Fill Out the Top 10
Gonzaga Bulldogs remain steady at No. 7 after a road win at Oregon, while Houston Cougars stay No. 8 following a tough win at Arkansas.
Michigan State Spartans and BYU Cougars round out the top 10. Both teams handled business at home and gave voters little reason to reshuffle that part of the poll.
Movers in the Middle of the Poll
Vanderbilt Commodores moved up two spots to No. 11 and remain unbeaten at 12-0. Vanderbilt continues to be one of the season’s best stories.
Nebraska Cornhuskers also climbed two spots to No. 13, staying perfect at 12-0. Nebraska is no longer being treated as a surprise. They are being treated as a real factor.
Louisville Cardinals slid five spots to No. 16 despite a win, showing how tightly packed the middle of the poll has become.
SEC and Big Ten Depth on Display
The Southeastern Conference and Big Ten continue to stack ranked teams. Alabama Crimson Tide, Tennessee Volunteers, Florida Gators, and Georgia Bulldogs all appear in the back half of the Top 25, while the Big Ten features Michigan, Purdue, Michigan State, Nebraska, Illinois, USC, and Iowa.
AP Top 25 Men’s Basketball Poll
- Arizona
- Michigan
- Iowa State
- UConn
- Purdue
- Duke
- Gonzaga
- Houston
- Michigan State
- BYU
- Vanderbilt
- North Carolina
- Nebraska
- Alabama
- Texas Tech
- Louisville
- Kansas
- Arkansas
- Tennessee
- Illinois
- Virginia
- Florida
- Georgia
- USC
- Iowa
With the holidays here, movement will slow briefly, but once conference play begins, these rankings will change quickly. For now, the AP Top 25 gives fans a clear look at who is delivering, who is rising, and who is starting to feel pressure as the season moves forward.