Arizona’s unbeaten start finally pushed the Wildcats to the top of the AP Top 25, marking their first appearance at No. 1 in two years.
A New Leader Emerges After a Turbulent Week
They earned it the hard way, stacking wins against four ranked opponents and crushing Auburn in a statement performance that left little doubt about their early-season ceiling. A national panel rewarded them with 33 first-place votes, edging out a Michigan team that has been just as impressive.
The shift comes after Purdue’s stunning fall from the summit. The Boilermakers were dismantled at home by Iowa State, a loss that not only shook the rankings but also signaled that this season’s hierarchy may be far from settled.
Michigan Surges and Duke Stays Close Behind
Michigan climbed to No. 2 and gathered 19 first-place votes after adding wins over UConn, Florida, and UCLA. It's the program’s strongest ranking since 2021 and a reminder that the Wolverines have rebuilt faster and more effectively than many expected.
Duke also strengthened its case near the top. The Blue Devils collected six first-place votes and moved to No. 3 after grinding out another high-level December victory. Their schedule has offered few breaks, yet they’ve continued to rise.
Iowa State Breaks Through Historic Barriers
No team made a louder statement this past week than Iowa State. The Cyclones walked into West Lafayette and handed Purdue an 81–58 defeat, tying the record for the largest loss by a No. 1 team on its own floor. That showing catapulted Iowa State to No. 4, their highest midseason position in years, along with one first-place vote.
The program has never reached No. 1 in the AP era. If their momentum continues, that history may be rewritten soon.
New Faces in the Top 10 as Gonzaga Reenters the Spotlight
Gonzaga returned to its familiar perch in the top 10 after overpowering North Florida. Houston remained steady at No. 7, while Michigan State and BYU rounded out a reshuffled top tier.
UConn stayed one slot ahead of Purdue at No. 5 thanks to a win at Kansas, one of the toughest environments in the country.
SEC Unbeaten Vanderbilt Climbs as Others Slip
Louisville tumbled after falling to Arkansas, while Florida slid to No. 18 after dropping a one-point game to Duke. Vanderbilt, still unbeaten and one of the biggest surprises in the country, reached No. 15 and continues to rise with the confidence of a group playing far beyond preseason expectations.
Texas Tech and Arkansas both gained ground, with the Razorbacks vaulting up eight spots after a pair of strong wins.
Nebraska and Virginia Break Into the Rankings
Nebraska’s perfect start pushed the Huskers to No. 23, marking their best ranking in a decade. Their 9–0 record has sparked genuine optimism heading into conference play.
Virginia entered at No. 24 despite not receiving a single vote the previous week, a rare late-November to early-December jump. UCLA also returned, while Kentucky, Indiana, and USC fell out after uneven stretches.
Conferences Grapple for Early-Season Supremacy
The Big 12, Big Ten, and SEC all lead with six ranked teams, but only the Big 12 can claim the nation’s No. 1 squad. The league also boasts four top-10 programs, reinforcing its claim as the deepest conference in college basketball.
The ACC followed with four ranked teams, while the Big East and West Coast Conference secured two and one, respectively.
Full AP Top 25 Rankings (December 8, 2025
1. Arizona
2. Michigan
3. Duke
4. Iowa State
5. UConn
6. Purdue
7. Houston
8. Gonzaga
9. Michigan State
10. BYU
11. Louisville
12. Alabama
13. Illinois
14. North Carolina
15. Vanderbilt
16. Texas Tech
17. Arkansas
18. Florida
19. Kansas
20. Tennessee
21. Auburn
22. St. John’s
23. Nebraska
24. Virginia
25. UCLA