The new AP Top 25 reflects what late February usually looks like: clarity at the top, pressure everywhere else.
Duke moves into the No. 1 spot after a high-level win. Arizona continues to stack quality victories. Michigan slides slightly but remains a national contender. And deeper in the poll, teams like Saint Louis are quietly building resumes that matter.
Here’s where things stand.
Duke earns the top spot
The Duke Blue Devils are No. 1 at 25-2 after their 68-63 win over Michigan.
It was the kind of game voters notice. Two top-tier teams, a tight finish and execution down the stretch. Duke defended without fouling, managed possessions and showed composure in the final minutes. That combination is why they picked up 56 first-place votes.
Their resume features strong nonconference wins and consistent conference play. There isn’t much weakness on the profile right now.
Michigan still controls the Big Ten race
The Michigan Wolverines drop to No. 3 at 25-2, but the bigger picture hasn’t changed.
Losing by five on the road at the new No. 1 team doesn’t derail anything. Michigan still owns one of the strongest resumes in the country and remains the team to beat in the Big Ten.
The Wolverines have handled the grind of league play better than most. They’ve avoided bad losses, defended at a high level and shown the ability to win close games. With Purdue, Illinois, Nebraska and Michigan State all ranked, the conference is deep. But Michigan continues to sit at the top of that group.
If they finish strong, they’ll remain firmly in the No. 1 seed conversation.
Arizona adds another quality win
The Arizona Wildcats hold at No. 2 after winning at Houston.
That result stands out. Winning on the road against a top-five opponent carries weight, especially this late in the season. Arizona has proven it can win away from home and against elite competition, which strengthens its resume considerably.
At 25-2, they remain right alongside Duke and Michigan in the national conversation.
Big 12 depth keeps reshuffling the order
The Big 12 continues to impact the middle of the poll more than any other conference.
- Iowa State Cyclones are No. 4 despite a loss at BYU.
- Houston Cougars sit at No. 5 after falling to Arizona.
- Kansas Jayhawks drop to No. 14 after a loss to Cincinnati.
- Texas Tech Red Raiders are No. 16.
- BYU Cougars climb to No. 19 following their win over Iowa State.
There’s very little separation between these teams. One night can shift perception quickly. The competition level inside the league keeps resumes strong, but it also means weekly movement in the rankings.
Saint Louis rebounds the right way
The Saint Louis Billikens sit at No. 23 at 25-2, and their recent win over VCU was important.
After seeing their long winning streak snapped last week, the Billikens responded with an 88-75 win over the VCU Rams. That mattered. VCU is one of the more physical, defensive-minded teams in the Atlantic 10, and Saint Louis handled the matchup with composure.
The offense was efficient, the ball moved and they controlled tempo for long stretches. Instead of letting one loss turn into a slide, Saint Louis steadied itself.
At 25-2, their resume remains strong within the Atlantic 10. The conversation now becomes about positioning. Can they protect home court down the stretch? Can they avoid another stumble? The profile suggests they’re more than capable, but consistency over the next two weeks will determine how high their seed can climb.
Florida and Alabama gaining momentum
The Florida Gators move to No. 7 after a convincing road win at Ole Miss. Florida has looked more balanced recently, and that’s reflected in the rankings.
The Alabama Crimson Tide jump to No. 17 following a win at LSU. Alabama’s offense remains its strength, and as defensive consistency improves, the Tide are becoming more complete.
The SEC continues to place multiple teams in the Top 25, including Tennessee, Arkansas and Vanderbilt.
Big Ten depth behind Michigan
Beyond Michigan, the Big Ten remains crowded:
- Purdue Boilermakers at No. 8
- Illinois Fighting Illini at No. 10
- Nebraska Cornhuskers at No. 12
- Michigan State Spartans at No. 13
Every week, those teams shuffle slightly. But the gap between them is slim. A strong finish in the conference tournament could easily push one of them up several lines.
UConn, Gonzaga and the undefeated story
The UConn Huskies sit at No. 6 and continue to stack solid Big East wins. They may not be dominating headlines, but their resume remains tournament-ready.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are No. 9 at 27-2, consistent as usual.
And the Miami RedHawks remain undefeated at 27-0. Strength of schedule will always be discussed, but at this point in the season, winning every game deserves recognition.
Full AP Men’s Top 25 (Feb. 23, 2026)
- Duke (25-2)
- Arizona (25-2)
- Michigan (25-2)
- Iowa State (23-4)
- Houston (23-4)
- UConn (25-3)
- Florida (21-6)
- Purdue (22-5)
- Gonzaga (27-2)
- Illinois (22-6)
- Virginia (24-3)
- Nebraska (23-4)
- Michigan State (22-5)
- Kansas (20-7)
- St. John’s (22-5)
- Texas Tech (20-7)
- Alabama (20-7)
- North Carolina (21-6)
- BYU (20-7)
- Arkansas (20-7)
- Miami (OH) (27-0)
- Tennessee (20-7)
- Saint Louis (25-2)
- Louisville (20-7)
- Vanderbilt (21-6)
Duke may be No. 1, but the difference between the top three is minimal. Michigan remains central to the Big Ten title chase. Arizona continues to strengthen its resume.
And programs like Saint Louis are proving that consistency still matters this time of year. With conference tournaments approaching, positioning will shift again. For now, the field of contenders is clearly defined, even if the order keeps moving.