Arizona Makes a Statement, But Michigan Holds Strong at No. 1 in Coaches Poll
Arizona sent a loud message to the college basketball world this weekend-one that echoed far beyond the hardwood in Tucson. The Wildcats dismantled Alabama in a 96-75 showcase, a win that ranks among the most dominant performances of the young season. But despite that emphatic victory, Arizona still finds itself just short of the No. 1 spot in the latest Coaches Poll.
That top ranking continues to belong to Michigan, and frankly, the Wolverines haven’t given voters much reason to change their minds. Michigan rolled through Villanova and Maryland with authority, pushing their record to a perfect 10-0.
Even more impressive? Seven of those wins have come by 18 points or more.
That’s not just winning-that’s asserting control.
Michigan’s grip on the top spot remains firm, but just barely. Arizona is right on their heels, trailing by only two first-place votes and a mere four total points in the poll.
That’s as close as it gets without a tie. The Wildcats’ case is compelling: they’re undefeated, they’ve taken down five ranked opponents in just nine games, and they’re doing it with one of the toughest schedules in the country.
Head coach Tommy Lloyd’s “anyone, anywhere” approach is clearly paying dividends. Brayden Burries’ 28-point outburst against Alabama was just the latest example of how dangerous this team can be when it’s firing on all cylinders.
While the top two teams are battling for supremacy, there’s plenty of movement further down the rankings-starting with Nebraska. The Cornhuskers made a major leap, jumping seven spots to No.
- Their 83-80 thriller over Illinois came courtesy of a buzzer-beating dagger from Jamarques Lawrence, and with that, Nebraska remains unbeaten.
Fred Hoiberg’s squad now leads the Big Ten in wins with 11 and has already collected five victories against high-major opponents. That’s the kind of résumé that turns heads in December.
Elsewhere, teams like Arkansas and Virginia are also climbing. The Razorbacks and Cavaliers each moved up three spots to No. 14 and No. 22, respectively.
Vanderbilt, North Carolina, and Kansas all gained two spots, continuing their steady rise, while St. John's nudged up one to No.
- The top 11 teams, however, held their ground this week-no changes there, a testament to the consistency at the top.
Here’s how the full Coaches Poll shakes out after Week 6 of the 2025-26 college basketball season:
Coaches Poll (First-place votes in parentheses):
- Michigan (16)
- Arizona (14)
- Duke (1)
- Iowa State
- UConn
- Purdue
- Gonzaga
- Houston
- Michigan State
- BYU
- Louisville
- Vanderbilt
- North Carolina
- Arkansas
- Nebraska
- Alabama
- Kansas
- Illinois
- Texas Tech
- **St.
John's**
21.
Florida
22.
Virginia
23.
Tennessee
24.
Auburn
25.
Iowa
The season is still young, but if the early chaos is any indication, we’re in for a wild ride. Arizona and Michigan are setting the pace, but with conference play looming, the real tests are just getting started.