Arizona Wildcats basketball has completed an impressive climb to No. 2 in the latest AP Top 25 poll released Monday, November 25, trailing only Purdue’s undefeated squad at the top. The Wildcats’ momentum builds off a stunning 71-67 upset victory over UConn last Wednesday that cemented their place among the nation’s elite teams.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Arizona jumps +2 spots to reach No. 2 with an undefeated 5-0 record
- Purdue remains No. 1 at 6-0 with 46 of 61 first-place votes in the AP poll
- The Wildcats earned 11 first-place votes, showing strong voter confidence nationwide
- Arizona defeated reigning NCAA champion Florida, ranked UCLA, and then-No. 3 UConn on the road
Arizona’s Historic Rise from Preseason Rankings
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Arizona entered the 2025-26 season ranked No. 13 in the preseason AP Top 25, but head coach Tommy Lloyd’s squad wasted little time making noise. The Wildcats exploded into relevance after capturing a decisive victory over reigning NCAA champion Florida in Las Vegas early in the season.
That win launched Arizona to No. 5 one week later, and the team continued its upward trajectory by securing victories over ranked UCLA teams in Los Angeles and then traveling to Connecticut to upset Dan Hurley’s UConn Huskies on the road. The upset win over UConn proved to be the clincher that boosted Arizona two more spots into the No. 2 position.
| Rank | Team | Record | First-Place Votes |
| 1 | Purdue Boilermakers | 6-0 | 46 of 61 |
| 2 | Arizona Wildcats | 5-0 | 11 of 61 |
| 3 | Houston Cougars | 5-0 | 4 of 61 |
| 4 | Duke Blue Devils | 7-0 | TBA |
| 5 | UConn Huskies | 5-1 | TBA |
Purdue Maintains Top Spot Despite Arizona’s Challenge
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The Purdue Boilermakers have proven nearly unstoppable through six games, holding a perfect 6-0 record and earning 46 of 61 first-place votes in Monday’s poll. Coach Matt Painter’s team showed its credentials by defeating then-No. 15 Texas Tech by 30 points to capture the Baha Mar Championship in the Bahamas.
While Arizona has made an impressive run with three key victories against ranked opponents, Purdue’s dominant wins and deeper resume have convinced over three-quarters of AP voters to keep the Boilermakers in the No. 1 slot. The battle between these two undefeated powerhouses will define the early season narrative.
Major Top 25 Shakeup Across the Rest of Rankings
Houston Cougars slipped one spot to No. 3 after spending a week at the very top, making room for Arizona’s ascent. The Cougars remain undefeated at 5-0 but couldn’t prevent the reshuffling following Arizona’s impressive wins.
Alabama Crimson Tide experienced one of the most significant climbs in the poll, rising three spots from No. 11 to No. 8 following a victory against then-No. 8 Illinois in Chicago. Meanwhile, Michigan State Spartans recorded the week’s largest jump with a six-spot climb to No. 11 after stunning Kentucky Wildcats in the Champions Classic.
Who’s In and Who’s Out of the Top 25?
Two new programs entered the AP Top 25 rankings this week: No. 24 Vanderbilt Commodores and No. 25 Indiana Hoosiers. Vanderbilt’s entry marked a significant milestone, as the Commodores hadn’t been ranked since December 2015 before appearing once last season.
The biggest casualty was Kansas Jayhawks, who fell out of the rankings after falling to Duke in the Champions Classic. The Jayhawks’ exit marks only the second straight year the program has dropped from the poll at least once, a rarity given their historic consistency dating back to the 2009-10 season.
What does Arizona’s rise mean for the college basketball elite?
Arizona’s climb to No. 2 signals that the Pac-12 champion program has successfully transitioned under coach Tommy Lloyd’s system and entered the 2025-26 season among the nation’s true title contenders. With victories over blue-blood programs and the reigning national champions, the Wildcats have eliminated any doubt about their credentials early.
The race for supremacy in college basketball now features a dynamic duo at the top with Purdue and Arizona establishing themselves as clear favorites. Fans and analysts will closely watch whether Arizona can maintain this elite status entering Feast Week and beyond, as the Wildcats prepare for increasingly difficult non-conference competition and eventual Pac-12 play.
Sources
- Associated Press – AP Top 25 Men’s College Basketball Poll official rankings released November 24, 2025
- ESPN – Arizona leaps to No. 2 behind Purdue in AP men’s hoops poll coverage
- Sports Illustrated – College Basketball AP Top 25 rankings featuring Arizona Wildcats and Purdue Boilermakers
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.