In an unprecedented development in men’s college basketball rankings, the University of Arizona Wildcats have been unanimously voted as the No. 1 team in The Associated Press Top 25 poll for the first time in the program’s history. This extraordinary consensus, recorded on Monday, saw all 61 voting members of the media panel awarding Arizona the top spot.
The Wildcats currently boast an unblemished 18-0 season record. Their recent performance included victories in both games played last week, reinforcing their standing as one of only three remaining undefeated teams in Division I basketball. This consistent excellence earned Arizona not only the unanimous No. 1 ranking but also extended their streak at the top to six consecutive weeks. This run is their longest since an eight-week streak during the 2013-14 season when they opened with a 21-0 record.
Conversely, Iowa State, a team that held one first-place vote just a week prior, experienced a dramatic fall from the rankings. After ending their undefeated run with two consecutive losses, the Cyclones dipped seven places to No. 9, highlighting the volatility within the upper echelons of the poll. This shift underscored how quickly rankings can fluctuate based on recent performances.
The top five teams rounding out Arizona’s position were the University of Connecticut, Michigan, Purdue, and Duke, representing a competitive landscape among top-ranked programs.
Noteworthy ascending teams include No. 7 Nebraska, which also maintains an unbeaten 18-0 record. Nebraska’s back-to-back wins last week have propelled them to their highest ranking ever, moving up one slot from the previous week. Additionally, No. 24 Saint Louis entered the rankings for the first time since reaching No. 22 in 2021, buoyed by an 11-game winning streak. Similarly, No. 25 Miami (Ohio) debuted in the Top 25 for the first time since the 1998-99 season after decisive victories, including an overtime thriller against Buffalo marked by a clutch three-pointer in the final seconds.
The week’s rankings also experienced notable movements. Clemson climbed four spots to No. 18 following wins against Boston College and Miami. Texas Tech advanced three places to No. 12 after victories over Utah and then-ranked No. 11 BYU. In contrast, North Carolina took the largest hit, dropping eight spots to No. 22 after losses to key ACC Bay Area teams.
Other significant falls include Iowa State’s seven-place drop to No. 9, Vanderbilt’s five-place decline after losing its undefeated status, and the absence of Tennessee, which fell out of the rankings from No. 24 due to a narrow defeat after a substantial lead. Similarly, Utah State and Seton Hall exited the poll following recent losses and a lack of votes.
The poll welcomed Kansas back to the rankings at No. 19 after a previous absence. Their recent wins, notably handing Iowa State its first defeat and decisively beating Baylor, secured their readmission.
Conference representation in the poll highlights the dominance of the Big 12 with six ranked teams, the highest among all conferences. The Southeastern Conference, Big Ten, and ACC each have five teams in the rankings, while the Big East, West Coast, Atlantic-10, and Mid-American conferences have one ranked team apiece.