College Hoops Power Shift: Michigan Takes Over at No. 1, Saturday Set for Showdowns
We’ve got a new No. 1 in college basketball, and it’s a familiar face with serious momentum. Michigan has climbed to the top of the AP poll at 24-1, taking advantage of Arizona’s stumble to claim the throne.
The Wolverines have been stacking wins in convincing fashion, including nine Quad 1 victories-a résumé that’s hard to argue with. With March creeping closer, Michigan looks like a team built not just to make noise, but to cut nets.
Right behind them? Houston.
The Cougars have been a force in Big 12 play, dropping just one game so far and looking every bit like the league favorite. They’ve been here before and know what it takes to finish strong.
The rest of the top five includes Duke, Arizona, and UConn-all teams with the talent to make deep runs, but each with a recent blemish to keep them grounded. Duke and UConn are both just a game away from perfection in their conferences, but losses to North Carolina and St.
John’s, respectively, have kept them in check. That leaves Michigan and St.
Louis as the only one-loss teams left in the country.
And then there’s Miami-OH. The Redhawks, now ranked No. 22, are officially the last unbeaten team in the nation after Arizona’s rough 0-2 week.
They’ve got a big week ahead, with a road trip to UMass on Tuesday and a home game against Bowling Green on Friday. If they keep this streak alive, we could be watching something truly historic unfold in the MAC.
AP Top 25 - Week 16 Highlights
The Week 16 poll has more than just a new No. 1-it’s setting the stage for what could be one of the most electric Saturdays of the season.
Circle your calendars for Saturday at 6:30 PM ET-that’s when No. 1 Michigan meets No.
3 Duke in Washington D.C. for the Edward Jones Capital Showcase. This is the kind of February nonconference matchup that hoops fans dream about.
Two blue bloods, both in top form, going head-to-head on a neutral floor? That’s can't-miss basketball.
But wait-there’s more.
Earlier that same day, No. 4 Arizona will travel to face No.
2 Houston at 3:00 PM ET. That means all four of the top-ranked teams will be on the floor, playing each other, on the same day.
You don’t see that often, and it’s the kind of scheduling coincidence that could make this weekend one for the ages.
Other Teams to Watch
Purdue is quietly rebuilding its case as a contender. After a rough end to January, the Boilermakers have bounced back with four straight wins in February, including a gritty overtime road win at Nebraska. Now they’ll welcome top-ranked Michigan to Mackey Arena for what could be their biggest test yet-and a potential statement game if they can pull it off.
Virginia is another team flying under the radar. The Cavaliers are now 22-3 and just picked up a solid nonconference win over Ohio State in Nashville.
They’ve been methodical, as always, and have a marquee matchup with Duke looming at the end of the month in Cameron Indoor. Don’t be surprised if they play spoiler-or even more.
As the regular season winds down, the stakes are only getting higher. Michigan’s rise to No. 1 is well-earned, but with Duke and Purdue waiting in the wings, they’ll have to prove they can stay there. Meanwhile, Houston, Arizona, and UConn are all still very much in the mix, and Miami-OH’s unbeaten run adds a layer of intrigue to the national picture.
This Saturday? It’s not just another day on the schedule-it’s a proving ground. And it might just be a preview of what March has in store.