Arizona Unanimous No. 1 in Latest AP College Basketball Poll
In the ever-evolving world of men's college basketball, consistency is king, and the Arizona Wildcats are wearing the crown. For the ninth consecutive week, Arizona has been voted the unanimous No. 1 team in The Associated Press Top 25 poll, solidifying their status as the nation's premier program. With a perfect 23-0 record, the Wildcats swept all 59 first-place votes from the AP's panel of journalists, marking the fourth straight week they've achieved this feat.
Top of the Rankings: Arizona and Michigan Lead the Pack
Arizona's dominance was on full display last week, as they notched a gritty road win over rival Arizona State before dismantling Oklahoma State by a whopping 37 points at home. These victories have kept the Wildcats unbeaten—one of only two remaining undefeated teams in Division I—while extending their reign atop the polls. However, analytics enthusiasts might note a twist: major sites like KenPom, Evan Miyakawa, and Bart Torvik actually rank Michigan slightly ahead of Arizona, highlighting the Wolverines' efficiency on both ends of the floor.
Michigan, sitting at No. 2 with a 22-1 record, has been Arizona's constant shadow during this streak—marking the sixth time they've occupied the runner-up spot. The Wolverines' blend of veteran leadership and explosive scoring has made them a formidable force, but they'll need to prove it head-to-head if they meet in the postseason.
Full AP Top 25 Breakdown
Here's the complete latest AP Top 25 men's college basketball poll, including records and last week's positions:
- Arizona (59 first-place votes) - 23-0 (LW: 1)
- Michigan - 22-1 (LW: 2)
- Houston - 21-2 (LW: 8)
- Duke - 21-2 (LW: 4)
- Iowa State - 21-2 (LW: 7)
- UConn - 22-2 (LW: 3)
- Nebraska - 21-2 (LW: 9)
- Illinois - 20-4 (LW: 5)
- Kansas - 18-5 (LW: 11)
- Michigan State - 20-4 (LW: 10)
- North Carolina - 19-4 (LW: 14)
- Gonzaga - 23-2 (LW: 6)
- Purdue - 19-4 (LW: 12)
- Florida - 17-6 (LW: 17)
- Virginia - 20-3 (LW: 18)
- Texas Tech - 17-6 (LW: 13)
- St. John's - 18-5 (LW: 22)
- Saint Louis - 23-1 (LW: 19)
- Vanderbilt - 19-4 (LW: 15)
- Clemson - 20-4 (LW: 20)
- Arkansas - 17-6 (LW: 21)
- BYU - 17-6 (LW: 16)
- Miami (Ohio) - 24-0 (LW: 23)
- Louisville - 17-6 (LW: 24)
- Kentucky - 17-7 (LW: NR)
This poll reflects a weekend packed with high-stakes drama, from buzzer-beaters to blowouts, reshaping the landscape as conference play intensifies.
Biggest Movers: Houston's Surge and Kentucky's Return
Houston's ascent to No. 3 is the story of the week, jumping five spots after decisive wins over UCF and a road triumph at BYU. Under coach Kelvin Sampson, the Cougars have reclaimed their elite status, echoing their November peak when they held the No. 1 spot. Their suffocating defense and balanced attack make them a nightmare for opponents, positioning them as a legitimate national title contender.
Meanwhile, Kentucky makes a triumphant return to the rankings at No. 25, their first appearance since December. Despite a 17-7 record marred by inconsistencies, the Wildcats' recent form—including key SEC victories—has restored some faith. Coach John Calipari will be relieved, but they'll need to string wins together to climb higher.
Other notable climbers include St. John's, who vaulted five spots to No. 17 after stunning UConn and extending their win streak to nine games. North Carolina (up three to No. 11), Florida (up three to No. 14), and Virginia (up three to No. 15) also capitalized on strong performances. In total, nine teams advanced from last week.
Falls and Stumbles: Gonzaga and BYU Tumble
Not every team is celebrating. Gonzaga dropped six spots to No. 12 after their first loss since November—a surprising defeat at Portland. The Bulldogs, now 23-2, must regroup quickly to maintain their West Coast Conference dominance. BYU shared the biggest tumble, falling six to No. 22 amid a skid of four straight losses and five of six, raising questions about their consistency.
Vanderbilt slipped four to No. 19 following a home loss to Oklahoma, cooling off from their 16-0 start and now sitting at 3-4 in recent games. UConn fell three to No. 6 after their 18-game streak ended against St. John's, while Illinois dropped three to No. 8 post an overtime heartbreaker at Michigan State.
Seven teams held steady, including Clemson at No. 20 and Arkansas at No. 21, providing some stability amid the chaos. Miami (Ohio) remains the other unbeaten at 24-0, clinging to No. 23 and dreaming of a Cinderella run.
What It Means for the Road to March Madness
As we hit midseason, these rankings offer a snapshot of the contenders vying for NCAA Tournament glory. Arizona's unbeaten streak positions them as the team to beat, but Michigan's analytical edge suggests a close race at the top. Houston's resurgence adds depth to the Big 12 battle, while Duke's hold at No. 4—despite a last-second loss to UNC—shows resilience under pressure.
Looking ahead, conference tournaments loom large, with Champ Week schedules already taking shape. Teams like Iowa State (No. 5) and Nebraska (No. 7) are surging in the Big Ten, but losses like UConn's could impact seeding. Bubble teams, including those just outside the top 25, will watch closely as resume-building opportunities dwindle.
Power rankings from ESPN analysts like Jeff Borzello emphasize that the top five—Arizona, Michigan, Houston, Duke, Iowa State—must navigate tough weeks to stay elite. Freshman standouts like Duke's Boozer and UNC's Wilson are injecting star power, while coach-of-the-year buzz swirls around figures like Kelvin Sampson and Michigan's Juwan Howard.
In a season defined by parity and upsets, this AP poll underscores the excitement: no team is invincible, and every game counts toward Selection Sunday. Fans, keep your brackets handy—the chase for the title is just heating up.
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