Arkansas Climbs to No. 14 in AP Poll After Statement Win Over Texas Tech
The Arkansas Razorbacks are on the rise. After a gutsy 93-86 win over then-No.
16 Texas Tech in Dallas, the Hogs jumped three spots to No. 14 in the latest AP Top 25. It’s a significant move for a team that’s been steadily climbing back up the rankings after slipping early in the season.
Saturday’s win wasn’t just about the final score - it was about how Arkansas handled a high-pressure matchup against a physical, ranked opponent. The Razorbacks played with pace, poise, and offensive confidence, showcasing the kind of firepower that makes them a real threat heading into the heart of the season. Texas Tech, now ranked No. 19, had no answer for Arkansas’ tempo and shot-making, and while the Red Raiders were missing Luke Bambgoye, Arkansas took full advantage.
Up next, the Razorbacks have a tune-up game against Queens on Tuesday night at Bud Walton Arena - a chance to polish things before a major test looms. On Saturday, they’ll face No.
8 Houston in Newark, New Jersey. That one’s circled on the calendar.
Houston brings elite defense and toughness, and it’ll be a measuring stick game for Arkansas as they look to prove they belong in the top tier nationally.
SEC Flexes Its Depth
Arkansas isn’t alone in representing the SEC in the Top 25 - far from it. The conference leads all others with seven ranked teams this week, including No.
12 Vanderbilt, No. 16 Alabama, No.
20 Tennessee, No. 21 Auburn, and No.
23 Florida. LSU and Kentucky didn’t crack the rankings but are still receiving votes, a testament to just how deep the league is this season.
The Big 12 follows with six teams in the Top 25, while the Big Ten has five. The ACC and Big East round things out with four and two, respectively.
And then there’s No. 7 Gonzaga, the lone ranked team outside the traditional power conferences - still doing Gonzaga things.
Top of the Poll: Arizona Holds Strong
Arizona held on to the No. 1 spot after a dominant 96-75 win over Alabama, picking up 42 first-place votes. Michigan, Duke, and Iowa State round out the top four, with the Wolverines receiving 15 first-place votes of their own. It’s tight at the top, and with plenty of marquee matchups ahead, we could see more shuffling in the coming weeks.
Arkansas’ Season-Long Climb
The Razorbacks started the season at No. 14 in the preseason poll, then tumbled as low as No. 25 in Week 4 after a few early stumbles. But since then, they’ve been trending in the right direction:
- Week 1: No. 21
- Week 2: No. 21
- Week 3: No. 22
- Week 4: No. 25
- Week 5: No. 17
- Week 6: No. 14
That trajectory tells you a lot about how this team is evolving. They’re not just winning - they’re improving, and doing it against quality opponents.
Voter Insights: Arkansas Earns Respect
Arkansas moved up to No. 13 on the ballot of Anthony Kristensen, the state’s AP Top 25 voter. The win over Texas Tech was a big part of that, but so was the broader landscape - as other teams stumbled, the Razorbacks seized the moment.
Kristensen’s ballot had Michigan at No. 1, despite a less-than-crisp performance against Maryland. Arizona made a strong case with their blowout win over Alabama, but Michigan held the top spot on his list - for now.
Iowa State leapfrogged UConn after a comeback win over Iowa, while UConn handled Texas with ease. It’s a close call between those two, and Kristensen acknowledged it could go either way.
Alabama and Illinois both dropped after losses - Alabama’s being a lopsided defeat to Arizona, while Illinois fell at the buzzer to Nebraska. That head-to-head win helped Nebraska leapfrog Illinois in the rankings.
North Carolina, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, and Louisville all moved up thanks in part to Alabama’s slide. Florida, meanwhile, held on to a spot despite some shaky results. The Gators have been competitive, but they’re still looking for a signature win to solidify their standing.
Tennessee stayed at No. 20 on Kristensen’s ballot, but the Volunteers are on thin ice. They’ve dropped three straight and have a critical game coming up against Louisville. Their earlier win over Houston is doing a lot of the heavy lifting right now.
New Faces and Notable Drops
Three teams fell off Kristensen’s ballot this week: Iowa, Oklahoma State, and Saint Mary’s. Iowa battled hard against Iowa State but just missed the cut. Oklahoma State lost to an Oklahoma team that didn’t inspire much confidence, and Saint Mary’s dropped a game to Boise State - a team with a puzzling loss to Division II Hawaii Pacific on its resume.
Replacing them were Georgia, Auburn, and St. John’s.
Georgia, now 9-1, earned its first appearance on Kristensen’s ballot after a dominant win over Cincinnati. Auburn edged out St.
John’s due to a previous head-to-head win. Both teams have been trending upward and took advantage of the openings created by others falling short.
Saint Louis was the first team left off the ballot, with Iowa and Seton Hall also in the conversation. The Billikens have looked strong, but a baffling loss to Stanford is keeping them just outside the top 25. Seton Hall has outperformed expectations and might be one big win away from cracking the list.
What’s Next for Arkansas?
The Razorbacks have momentum, but the road ahead won’t be easy. Tuesday’s matchup against Queens should give them a chance to fine-tune some things, but Saturday’s showdown with Houston is the real test. A win there could push Arkansas into the top 10 - and send a message that they’re not just climbing the rankings, they’re here to stay.
This team has the tools. Now it’s about consistency, execution, and proving they can beat elite competition on a neutral floor. If they do that, the rest of the country will have no choice but to take notice.