The latest AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll was released on February 2, 2026, with Arizona maintaining its unanimous No. 1 ranking after another undefeated week, while Illinois surged into the top five following key victories. This poll reflects significant shifts in the rankings as the regular season enters its final stretch, with several teams positioning themselves for the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Arizona continues to dominate the college basketball landscape, improving to a perfect 22-0 record after defeating No. 16 BYU and rival Arizona State last week. The Wildcats are off to the best start in school history and have been the unanimous top team for three consecutive weeks. Under coach Tommy Lloyd, Arizona is poised to secure a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in five seasons, raising hopes for their first Final Four appearance in 25 years.
Michigan made a notable jump to No. 2, flipping spots with UConn after securing wins over No. 9 Nebraska and No. 10 Michigan State. The Wolverines boast a 20-1 record and are 5-0 against ranked teams this season, with four of those victories coming by double digits. UConn, despite not losing, dropped to No. 3 with a 21-1 record, while Duke held steady at No. 4 with a 20-1 mark, showcasing the depth at the top of the rankings.
Illinois was the biggest climber in the poll, rising four spots to No. 5 after defeating No. 12 Purdue and Nebraska. This marks the Illini’s highest ranking since 2021, driven by standout performances from players like Keaton Wagler, who scored 46 points in a road win over Purdue. Illinois’s ascent highlights the competitive nature of the Big Ten, which now has two teams in the top five.
Other significant movements include Nebraska falling four spots to No. 9 after suffering its first two losses of the season. Kansas, Vanderbilt, and St. John’s each moved up three spots, while Arkansas dropped six places to No. 21 following a loss to Kentucky. Alabama fell out of the Top 25 entirely, making way for Tennessee to reenter at No. 25.
The poll also features strong performances from mid-major teams, with Miami (Ohio) remaining unbeaten at 22-0 and rising a spot to No. 23, and Saint Louis climbing to No. 19 with a 21-1 record. These teams add depth to the rankings and could impact bubble discussions as the tournament approaches.
Analysts note that Duke, under coach Jon Scheyer, has improved significantly, with an elite offense and strong defense despite a young roster. Meanwhile, Purdue, despite recent losses, maintains a solid resume and is ranked No. 12, with predictive metrics suggesting they could bounce back.
Looking ahead, key matchups this week include No. 11 Kansas at No. 13 Texas Tech, No. 5 Illinois at No. 10 Michigan State, and No. 4 Duke at No. 14 North Carolina. These games will further shape the rankings and provide clarity for tournament seeding. With six weeks until Selection Sunday, teams are fine-tuning their strategies, and the poll serves as a barometer for the intense competition ahead in March Madness.
