With games through January 18 now reflected, this is the portion of the season where the NET starts to feel less theoretical and more earned. Nonconference wins still count, but league play is where resumes are tested. Road trips, short turnarounds, and repeat matchups against quality teams now shape perception week to week.
A Point Where Results Start to Stick
The NET captures that reality by rewarding teams that win away from home and against strong competition, while exposing those still light on quality results.
What the NET Is Measuring Right Now
The NET Rankings factor in efficiency, strength of schedule, scoring margin, and game location. Road and neutral-site wins carry added weight, while Quad 1 and Quad 2 games are becoming increasingly important as conference schedules mature.
At this stage, teams near the top are not just winning games. They are doing so in environments that matter most in March.
Michigan Still Sets the Standard at No. 1
Michigan Wolverines sits atop the NET at No. 1 with a 16–1 overall record and a perfect 5–0 mark in Big Ten play. Michigan’s profile is built on consistency across the board, including a strong road resume highlighted by a 6–1 record away from home. That ability to win outside Ann Arbor is a major reason the Wolverines remain the NET’s top team.
Right behind them at No. 2, Duke Blue Devils continues to check every box. Duke is 17–1 overall, 6–0 in ACC play, and has already stacked multiple Quad 1 wins. The Blue Devils have avoided damaging losses and remain one of the most complete teams in the country.
Holding steady at No. 3, Arizona Wildcats remains unbeaten at 18–0. Arizona’s transition into Big 12 play has been smooth so far, supported by a perfect 10–0 home record and clean results in conference games that continue to reinforce its elite standing.
Big 12 Results Moving the Needle
The Houston Cougars check in at No. 9 and is coming off one of the most eye-opening wins of the week, a 103–73 blowout of Arizona State. While that game did not qualify as Quad 1, it helped Houston’s efficiency numbers and reinforced its position near the top of a rugged Big 12.
At No. 10, Iowa State Cyclones took a hit with a 79–70 loss at Cincinnati. The Cyclones remain firmly inside the top 10 thanks to earlier quality wins and a perfect home record, but the loss highlights how unforgiving Big 12 road games can be.
Losses That Show Up in the NET
North Carolina Tar Heels currently sits at No. 29 after an 84–78 loss to California. The defeat does not undo North Carolina’s overall body of work, but it does limit upward movement and places more pressure on upcoming conference opportunities.
At No. 21, Utah State Aggies absorbed an 84–74 loss to Grand Canyon. Utah State remains in a strong position, but mid-major teams inside the top 25 often have less margin for error, making each loss more noticeable in the NET.
The SEC has seen movement as well. Vanderbilt Commodores is ranked No. 13 after losing its second straight game, a 98–94 setback to Florida. Vanderbilt is still 16–2 overall, but the recent losses have slowed its momentum and tightened its margin in SEC play.
Tennessee Volunteers sits at No. 26 following an 80–78 loss to Kentucky. Tennessee has taken on a heavy conference schedule, and close losses like that tend to age better than blowouts, though they still affect NET positioning.
Where Quad 1 Wins Stand Right Now
Quad 1 results are beginning to separate the top tier.
Duke at No. 2 and Michigan at No. 1 have already secured multiple Quad 1 wins, providing both teams with flexibility as the season progresses. Duke is 8-1, while Michigan is 5-0.
Others are still building. No. 6 Nebraska remains unbeaten at 18–0, also at 5-0 in Quad 1 games. No. 13 Vanderbilt and No. 21 Utah State are in similar spots, with strong overall records but upcoming Quad 1 chances looming large. Commodores are 4-2 in Quad 1 games, the Aggies are 0-1
This category is likely to change quickly as conference play delivers more ranked matchups and true road tests.
Conferences Showing Their Depth
The Big Ten continues to dominate the upper portion of the NET, placing six teams inside the top 20. Nearly every league game doubles as a resume opportunity.
The Big 12 remains just as demanding, with multiple teams in the top 15 and very few easy nights. The ACC is led by Duke at No. 2, while the SEC continues to show strength through depth rather than a single dominant team.
Where Things Go From Here
As January turns toward February, the NET will remain fluid. Road games will carry even more weight, Quad 1 opportunities will increase, and teams hovering just outside the top 25 will have chances to move quickly.
At this point, the standings are not final, but the shape of strong tournament resumes is becoming clearer each week.
NET Rankings Top 25 (Through Games January 18, 2026)
- Michigan (16–1)
- Duke (17–1)
- Arizona (18–0)
- Gonzaga (19–1)
- Purdue (17–1)
- Nebraska (18–0)
- Illinois (15–3)
- UConn (18–1)
- Houston (17–1)
- Iowa State (16–2)
- BYU (16–2)
- Michigan State (16–2)
- Vanderbilt (16–2)
- Virginia (16–2)
- Florida (13–5)
- Louisville (13–5)
- Kansas (13–5)
- Alabama (13–5)
- Texas Tech (14–4)
- Iowa (13–5)
- Utah State (14–2)
- Saint Louis (16–1)
- St. John’s (13–5)
- Arkansas (13–5)
- Clemson (16–3)
This update shows how the NET is beginning to reward teams that win the right games, in the right places, at the right time.