After a brief stint outside the national spotlight, the Kentucky Wildcats are back in the mix - sliding into the AP Top 25 this week at No. 25. And while the number may not scream dominance just yet, make no mistake: this team is trending in the right direction.
Mark Pope’s squad has quietly put together a strong stretch, winning eight of its last nine games. That surge has helped them climb to No. 28 in the NET rankings - a key metric used by the NCAA selection committee - and they’ve built a solid résumé with five Quad 1 wins.
For context, Quad 1 games are the toughest on the schedule, and going 5-3 in that tier is no small feat. Add in their overall 8-7 record in Quad 1 and Quad 2 games, and you’ve got a team that’s battle-tested and building momentum at the right time of year.
Kentucky’s return to the rankings doesn’t just reflect a hot streak - it’s a sign that this group is starting to find its identity. Pope has them playing with purpose, and the Wildcats are beginning to resemble the kind of team no one wants to face come March.
Looking at the rest of the AP Top 25, Arizona holds down the top spot, followed by Michigan, Houston, and Duke rounding out the top four. Iowa State sits at No. 5, continuing a strong campaign, while UConn, Nebraska, and Illinois make up a competitive top eight.
Kansas, a perennial powerhouse, checks in at No. 9, with Michigan State right behind at No. 10.
Other notable names in the mix include North Carolina at No. 11, Gonzaga at No. 12, and Purdue at No. 13 - all teams with deep tournament aspirations.
Florida, Virginia, and Texas Tech round out the top 16, with programs like St. John’s, Saint Louis, and Vanderbilt making noise in the next tier.
The bottom portion of the rankings features some surprises and some familiar faces. Clemson, Arkansas, and BYU hold steady, while Miami (OH), Louisville, and now Kentucky round out the Top 25.
Just outside the rankings, a handful of programs are knocking on the door. Alabama leads the “others receiving votes” category, followed closely by Iowa, NC State, and Tennessee. Villanova, Utah State, Georgia, Santa Clara, Auburn, and Saint Mary’s also picked up votes, signaling just how tight the race is in the back half of the poll.
For Kentucky, this return to the Top 25 is more than just a number. It’s a statement - that this team, under new leadership, is starting to turn the corner. With the season entering its most crucial stretch, the Wildcats are positioning themselves for a strong finish and a potential deep run when the madness begins.