The final AP Top 25 poll of January is out, and after a weekend of chaos across college basketball, the top 10 saw some serious shakeups-except at the very top, where Arizona remains firmly in control.
The Wildcats didn’t just hold onto the No. 1 spot-they locked it down with authority, grabbing all 60 first-place votes for the second straight week. That’s now eight consecutive weeks at the top for Arizona, who continue to look every bit the dominant force in the country. Whether it’s their deep rotation, efficient offense, or suffocating defense, Arizona is checking every box right now.
Duke Surging at the Right Time
Duke, meanwhile, is heating up. The Blue Devils climbed to No. 4 after a commanding 90-69 win over Wake Forest.
That’s seven straight wins for Duke, and they’re the only team left in the ACC without a conference loss. They’ve got momentum, they’ve got depth, and they’ve got a big one on deck: a home showdown with Louisville at Cameron Indoor.
If they keep playing like this, it’s hard not to see them as a real contender heading into February.
Purdue Stumbles After Brutal Week
Things went in the opposite direction for Purdue. The Boilermakers took a tumble down the rankings, dropping eight spots to No. 12 after a rough 0-2 week.
First came a heartbreaker at UCLA, where Tyler Bilodeau hit a clutch go-ahead three with just eight seconds left. Then came an 88-82 loss to Illinois, where Keaton Wagler exploded for 46 points in front of a hostile crowd.
That’s a tough stretch for any team, and Purdue’s going to have to regroup quickly if they want to stay in the mix near the top of the Big Ten.
Nebraska Keeps Rolling
Speaking of the Big Ten, Nebraska is quietly putting together one of the most impressive runs in the country. The Huskers are now 20-0 overall and 9-0 in conference play, good enough to move up to No. 5 in the latest poll.
They’re one of just three unbeaten teams left in Division I basketball. Their latest win came over Minnesota, but the real test comes tomorrow when they head to Ann Arbor to face Michigan.
That matchup should tell us a lot about just how real this Nebraska team is.
Top 10 Breakdown
Here’s how the top 10 shakes out this week:
- Arizona - Unanimous No. 1 again.
The Wildcats are rolling. 2.
UConn - Staying steady near the top. 3.
Michigan - Big Ten showdown with Nebraska looming. 4.
Duke - Seven straight wins, zero ACC losses. Dangerous.
- Nebraska - Still unbeaten.
Still climbing. 6.
Gonzaga - Quietly hanging around the top tier. 7.
Michigan State - Another Big Ten power in the mix. 8.
Iowa State - Balanced, tough, and rising. 9.
Illinois - That win over Purdue was a statement. 10.
Houston - Still a defensive juggernaut.
Notable Movers and Shakers
- Texas Tech sits just outside the top 10 at No. 11, while Purdue’s slide to No. 12 is one of the biggest drops of the week.
- BYU, Kansas, and Arkansas round out the next tier of contenders, sitting between 13 and 15.
- North Carolina, Virginia, and Vanderbilt are all jostling for position in the teens, while Florida, Louisville, and Saint Louis continue to build solid resumes.
- Toward the bottom of the poll, Clemson, Alabama, Miami University, and **St.
John's** round out the Top 25.
On the Bubble
Several teams are knocking on the door, including Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, and Iowa, all of whom received significant votes. Texas A&M, Auburn, NC State, and SMU are also in the mix, with Saint Mary’s, Utah State, Villanova, and Wisconsin getting a few nods as well.
As we head into the final stretch of conference play, things are only going to get more intense. The top of the rankings may feel settled for now, but in college basketball, one wild weekend is all it takes to flip the script.