Purdue reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 poll on Monday, Nov. 18. The Boilermakers toppled No. 8 Alabama with an 87-80 road victory in Tuscaloosa on Thursday. Braden Smith led the charge with 29 points, including 21 in the second half. Houston dropped to No. 2 after just one week at the top.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Purdue is now 4-0 on the season undefeated.
- Braden Smith scored 21 second-half points to secure the win.
- Houston drops to No. 2 after one week leading.
- UConn and Arizona are tied for No. 3 with 4-0 records.
- Matt Painter achieved his 500th career victory with this win.
Dominant Road Win Puts Purdue Back on Top
The Purdue Boilermakers stayed perfect with a statement victory over Alabama. The game featured 21 lead changes, keeping fans on edge throughout. Smith’s second-half explosion proved decisive in Tuscaloosa.
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This was Purdue’s first major test of the season. Alabama came in ranked No. 8 with its own 3-0 record. The Crimson Tide’s first loss drops them significantly. Purdue’s balanced attack shows this team has elite championship potential.
“Braden Smith scored 29 points, including 21 in the second half, and No. 2 Purdue beat eighth-ranked Alabama 87-80 on Thursday night in the first matchup of the season’s elite teams.”
The 87-80 final score validates Purdue’s preseason No. 1 ranking. Coach Matt Painter now has 500 career wins to his name. That’s historic territory for the Boilermakers program.
Why This Ranking Shift Matters for March
Early-season rankings matter for tournament seeding. Purdue’s return to No. 1 establishes momentum heading into conference play. This victory proves the team can win on road courts against elite competition.
Houston’s drop shows how quickly things change in college basketball. The Cougars spent just one week atop the rankings before surrendering it. This emphasizes the importance of consistent performance and avoiding slips.
For fans following championship odds, Purdue is now the favorite to win it all. The program has experienced recent tournament success. An undefeated start with road wins builds championship credibility fast.
AP Top 25 Rankings: Full Picture Updated
The AP Top 25 poll released on Monday, Nov. 18 shows major shifts. Purdue receives 44 first-place votes with 1,502 total points. Houston gets 12 first-place votes and 1,457 points.
| Rank | Team | Record | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue | 4-0 | 1,502 |
| 2 | Houston | 4-0 | 1,457 |
| 3 | UConn | 4-0 | 1,389 |
| 4 | Arizona | 4-0 | 1,314 |
| 5 | Duke | 4-0 | 1,277 |
Five teams remain undefeated with 4-0 records. This top tier shows parity at the elite level. Every remaining unbeaten team has tournament credentials and depth.
What’s Next for Purdue?
- Purdue maintains No. 1 status heading into Big Ten play.
- Remaining undefeated will face increasing tournament pressure.
- Braden Smith emerges as a national star after dominant road performance.
- Championship odds favor Purdue over Duke, UConn, Arizona.
- Next poll update comes Monday, Nov. 25 after additional games.
Can Purdue Stay Number 1 All Season?
The Boilermakers have been ranked No. 1 for 13 weeks since 2021, more than any Big Ten school. Matt Painter has positioned Purdue as a perennial powerhouse. The talent and coaching are elite.
However, maintaining No. 1 all season is incredibly difficult. Injuries happen. Tournament upsets occur. Teams like Duke, Houston, and UConn have equal championship aspirations.
What makes Purdue’s claim special right now? Road victory over Alabama. Undefeated record. Star player emergence in Smith. These factors suggest Purdue has the goods to compete for titles. Do you think they’ll maintain their top ranking through conference season?
Sources
- ESPN – Purdue reclaims No. 1 spot in AP Top 25 poll coverage
- USA Today Sports – Updated college basketball rankings and analysis
- CBS Sports – Purdue basketball standings and poll movement
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.