Arizona Still in the Mix Among Nation’s Elite Despite Rankings Dip
Arizona might have taken a slight step back in the latest KenPom and NCAA NET rankings, but let’s be clear: the Wildcats are still very much in the thick of the national title conversation. After Michigan picked up a pair of impressive wins-knocking off previously undefeated Nebraska and then toppling No.
7 Michigan State-Arizona slid ever so slightly in the metrics. But don’t let that fool you.
This is still one of the most complete teams in college basketball.
Right now, Arizona sits second in both the ESPN Basketball Power Index and KenPom, and third in the NCAA NET rankings. That’s elite territory, and they’re in good company.
A Clear Top Three: Michigan, Arizona, and Duke
When you look at the advanced metrics, there’s a distinct line between the top three and everyone else. Michigan leads KenPom with a staggering +36.57 adjusted efficiency margin, followed closely by Arizona at +36.39 and Duke at +35.95. That trio has separated itself from the rest of the pack-and not by a small margin.
To put it into perspective, there’s a bigger gap between Duke and the next team (Iowa State at +32.01) than there is between Duke and Michigan. That’s how tight the top three are, and how steep the drop-off is after them.
From there, the rankings fill out with Iowa State, Houston, Florida, Illinois, and Purdue rounding out the top eight. But again, the numbers tell the story: there’s a significant efficiency gap between the top three and the rest.
Arizona’s Resume: Built on Big Wins
Arizona and Duke are the only teams in the country with nine Quad 1 wins in the NCAA NET rankings. That’s a massive feather in the cap for both programs. Michigan isn’t far behind-they’re a perfect 8-0 in Quad 1 games, with their only blemish on the season being a Quad 2 loss to Wisconsin.
In a year where the margin for error is razor-thin, those high-level wins matter. They’re the kind of victories that separate a one-seed from a two, and a deep March run from an early exit.
The Road Ahead: A Gauntlet in February
If Arizona wants to reclaim the No. 1 spot in KenPom or the NET, the schedule is giving them every opportunity to do so. February is no cakewalk-this is where contenders prove their mettle.
After wrapping up a home game against Oklahoma State, Arizona enters a brutal four-game stretch that could define their seeding come March. First, a road trip to Kansas on February 9.
Then, it’s back home to host Texas Tech on February 14 and BYU on February 18. Finally, they’ll head to Houston on February 21.
All four of those opponents are currently ranked inside the top 20 in both KenPom and the NET. These are the kinds of games that can vault a team back to the top of the rankings-or expose flaws that have been masked by earlier success.
Eyes on the One Seed
At this point, the goal for Arizona isn’t just to climb back to No. 1 in the metrics. It’s about securing one of the four coveted No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament. And with Michigan, Arizona, and Duke clearly ahead of the field, it would take a significant stumble-or a bad loss-for any of them to fall off that line.
The metrics don’t care about reputation or preseason hype. They’re driven by results. And right now, Arizona’s resume, efficiency, and strength of schedule keep them firmly in that top tier.
The Wildcats may have slipped a spot, but make no mistake-they’re still right where they need to be. The next few weeks will be a test of depth, discipline, and durability. But if they navigate February with a couple more statement wins, don’t be surprised if Arizona finds itself back on top when the dust settles.