There is a new No. 1 in college basketball.
For the first time since January 2013, the Michigan Wolverines sit atop the Associated Press Top 25. Michigan moved to 24-1 after an 86-56 win over UCLA and collected 60 of 61 first-place votes in the latest poll.
The change at the top headlines a week that also featured movement throughout the Big 12, a significant jump from Purdue and continued separation in the Big Ten and SEC races.
With conference tournaments less than a month away, positioning is becoming critical.
Michigan takes control of the national picture
Michigan’s rise is rooted in consistency.
The Wolverines have won with defense, depth and balance. They are 14-1 in Big Ten play and have handled most of their schedule without extended scoring droughts or late-game breakdowns. The win over UCLA was their most complete performance in weeks, and it came at a time when voters were looking for clarity at the top.
A road trip to Purdue is next, followed by a neutral-site matchup with Duke. Those games will determine whether Michigan holds this spot or simply borrowed it.
Houston and Duke remain firmly in the hunt
Houston Cougars climbed to No. 2 at 23-2 after a 78-64 win over Kansas State. The Cougars remain one of the most efficient defensive teams in the country and are 11-1 in Big 12 play. They travel to Iowa State this week in one of the conference’s most difficult road environments.
At No. 3, Duke Blue Devils improved to 23-2 following a 67-54 win over Clemson. Duke is 12-1 in ACC play and has limited opponents to under 70 points in five of its last six games. Syracuse visits Cameron Indoor Stadium before the high-profile matchup with Michigan later in the week.
Arizona slides as Big 12 depth shows
Arizona Wildcats dropped to No. 4 after a 78-75 loss to Texas Tech. The Wildcats are now 23-2 overall and 10-2 in Big 12 play. The league continues to produce high-level matchups nightly, and Arizona’s upcoming trip to Houston could impact both the conference race and the No. 1 seed picture.
Iowa State Cyclones remains in the top 10 at No. 6 after a 74-56 win over Kansas. The Cyclones are 22-3 and 9-3 in league play. Kansas, despite the loss, holds at No. 8.
Texas Tech Red Raiders moved up to No. 13 following the win at Arizona and is 19-6 overall.
The Big 12 now has multiple teams positioned in the top 15, with minimal separation in the standings.
Purdue makes the biggest move in the top 10
Purdue Boilermakers jumped six spots to No. 7 after a 78-57 road win at Iowa. Purdue is 21-4 and 11-3 in the Big Ten and will host Michigan in a matchup that could determine control of the conference.
Illinois Fighting Illini sits at No. 10 after a 71-51 win over Indiana and remains in the mix near the top of the Big Ten standings.
Nebraska Cornhuskers holds at No. 9 with a 22-3 record and continues to be one of the league’s most consistent teams.
Strength in the SEC, stability in the Big East
The SEC placed five teams in the Top 25, including Florida Gators at No. 12, Vanderbilt Commodores at No. 19, Arkansas Razorbacks at No. 20 and Alabama Crimson Tide at No. 25. Each remains in position for NCAA Tournament bids, with seeding to be determined by upcoming head-to-head matchups.
In the Big East, UConn Huskies is No. 5 at 24-2 and continues to control the conference race. St. John's Red Storm sits at No. 17 and has won 11 straight games, reinforcing its standing in the league.
Mid-major presence remains strong
Gonzaga Bulldogs is No. 11 at 25-2 and leading the West Coast Conference once again.
Saint Louis Billikens checks in at No. 18 with a 24-1 record and remains unbeaten in Atlantic 10 play.
Miami (OH) RedHawks continues its undefeated run at 25-0 and is ranked No. 22. The RedHawks have separated from the Mid-American Conference field and are one of the few remaining unbeaten teams nationally.
Upcoming matchups to watch
Key games over the next week include:
- Syracuse at Duke
- Houston at Iowa State
- Michigan at Purdue
- Arizona at Houston
- UConn at Villanova
- Iowa State at BYU
Several of these matchups feature Top 25 teams facing each other, with conference positioning and NCAA Tournament seeding implications attached.
Full AP Top 25 Men’s Poll
- Michigan (24-1)
- Houston (23-2)
- Duke (23-2)
- Arizona (23-2)
- UConn (24-2)
- Iowa State (22-3)
- Purdue (21-4)
- Kansas (19-6)
- Nebraska (22-3)
- Illinois (21-5)
- Gonzaga (25-2)
- Florida (19-6)
- Texas Tech (19-6)
- Virginia (22-3)
- Michigan State (20-5)
- North Carolina (20-5)
- St. John’s (20-5)
- Saint Louis (24-1)
- Vanderbilt (21-4)
- Arkansas (19-6)
- Louisville (19-6)
- Miami (OH) (25-0)
- BYU (19-6)
- Wisconsin (18-7)
- Alabama (18-7)
The top of the poll has shifted, but little separation exists among the contenders. With several ranked matchups scheduled this week, further movement is likely before the next release.