Arizona made a massive statement on Monday. The Wildcats jumped to No. 2 in the latest AP Top 25 poll, moving up two spots after beating UConn on the road. Purdue held strong at No. 1, while Alabama cracked the top ten. The season’s top-tier hierarchy is becoming crystal clear.
🔥 Quick Facts:
- Arizona (5-0) climbed to No. 2 with 11 first-place votes
- Purdue (6-0) claimed 46 of 61 first-place votes to stay at No. 1
- Alabama rose three spots to No. 8 after beating Illinois
- Houston slides to No. 3 after a week at the top
- Kansas fell out entirely; sits just outside the rankings
What Happened This Week
Purdue stays put at No. 1 despite Arizona’s impressive climb. The Boilermakers (6-0) earned 46 first-place votes. They crushed Texas Tech by 30 points and won the Baha Mar Championship in the Bahamas. That’s two massive wins in one tournament run.
Arizona moved rapidly up the rankings, jumping two spots to claim No. 2. The Wildcats (5-0) earned 11 first-place votes. Their road win over UConn was impressive—71-67. But that’s just part of their hot start. Arizona already owns wins over Florida, UCLA, and now a ranked UConn team. They’re building an elite résumé.
Alabama bounced back impressively. The Crimson Tide went from outside looking in to No. 8. Coach Nate Oats‘ squad beat Illinois 90-86. That’s now their second top-ten victory. The momentum shift is real.
Why This Matters
Arizona’s rise signals a new contender in the college hoops landscape. Three wins over quality opponents before Thanksgiving shows this team plays at an elite level. They face Auburn and Alabama before New Year’s. Those games will define their season trajectory.
Purdue’s grip on No. 1 stays intact though. The Boilermakers are battle-tested. Winning by 30 points shows dominance, not just a close escape. They’re earning their votes.
Alabama’s return to the top ten matters for the entire Southeast. When SEC teams get hot, they get hot fast. The Crimson Tide could make a real run. Feast Week approaches with loaded matchups, so rankings will shift again soon.
AP Top 25 Ranking Breakdown
The elite tier is now clear. Purdue leads. Arizona pushes hard. Houston remains strong at No. 3. Duke sits at No. 4 with a perfect record. UConn rounds out the five despite that loss.
| Rank | Team | Record | First-Place Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue | 6-0 | 46 of 61 |
| 2 | Arizona | 5-0 | 11 |
| 3 | Houston | 5-0 | 4 |
| 4 | Duke | 7-0 | — |
| 5 | UConn | 5-1 | — |
| 6 | Louisville | TBA | — |
| 7 | Michigan | TBA | — |
| 8 | Alabama | TBA | — |
| 9 | BYU | TBA | — |
| 10 | Florida | TBA | — |
Michigan State made a big move too. The Spartans jumped six spots to No. 11. They crushed Kentucky 83-66 in the Champions Classic. Jaxon Kohler led the way with solid production.
Who’s In, Who’s Out
Vanderbilt and Indiana are the new additions this week. Both cracked the top twenty-five for the first time this season. Wisconsin and Kansas fell out of the poll entirely.
Kansas’ fall is notable. The Jayhawks dropped out. This is only their second time out of the poll this season. Before last year, they’d been ranked in virtually every poll since the 2009-10 season. That’s incredible consistency.
Other teams receiving votes include Wisconsin (45 votes), Kansas (34 votes), and Oregon (31 votes). They’re knocking hard on the top-25 door.
What’s Coming Next?
- Feast Week begins with massive neutral-court tournaments
- Arizona faces Auburn and Alabama before the calendar flips
- Purdue plays Eastern Illinois next (November 28)
- Rankings will shift significantly after this tournament week
<li Houston hosts Syracuse on Monday evening (November 24)
Could Arizona Reach No. 1 Soon?
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The talk is getting louder. Should Arizona be No. 1 right now? They’ve beaten better opponents than anyone else. Three top-15 wins (Florida, UCLA, UConn) in November? That’s elite territory. But Purdue‘s 6-0 record with blowout wins keeps them there for now.
Thing is, Purdue plays in the Big Ten. Competition intensifies from here. Arizona plays in the Big 12. Both conferences are absolutely stacked. One slip-up, and rankings flip fast.
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The Wildcats have momentum. They’ve got Tommy Lloyd leading them with smart coaching. Jaden Bradley and the supporting cast are clicking. If they keep winning? No. 1 is coming.
Sources
- Associated Press – Official AP Top 25 Men’s College Basketball Poll
- CBS Sports – College Basketball Rankings Coverage
- ESPN – Men’s College Basketball Rankings and Analysis
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.