Louisville Stays Perfect, But Still Just Outside the Top Five in AP Poll
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Seven games into the season, and Louisville men's basketball has yet to blink. The Cardinals are undefeated at 7-0, dominating opponents with the kind of consistency that turns heads - but not quite enough, at least not yet, to break into the top five of the AP Top 25 Poll.
Louisville holds steady at No. 6 in this week’s rankings, earning 1,177 points in the latest poll. It’s the third straight week they’ve occupied that spot, after starting the season at No. 11 and briefly dipping to No. 12 before climbing.
The early-season climb has been fueled by more than just wins - it’s been the way they’re winning. Louisville is steamrolling opponents right now, with an average margin of victory sitting at a staggering 33.7 points.
Last week alone, they dismantled Eastern Michigan and NJIT by a combined 98 points. Those weren’t just wins - they were statement games.
This 7-0 start marks the program’s best opening stretch since the 2019-20 season, when they rattled off nine straight to begin the year. And while this team hasn’t yet cracked the top five, they’re playing like a group that’s ready to make that leap.
Next up? A road trip that could serve as their biggest test so far.
Louisville travels to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas in the ACC/SEC Challenge. Tip-off is set for Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7:00 p.m.
EST. The Razorbacks, currently ranked No. 25, will be looking to play spoiler - and they’ve got the talent to do it.
Here’s how the top of the AP Poll currently shakes out:
- Purdue (1,494 points, 40 first-place votes)
- Arizona (1,442, 6)
- Michigan (1,417, 15)
- Duke (1,355)
- UConn (1,244)
- Louisville (1,177)
- Michigan State (1,095)
- Houston (1,070)
- BYU (1,037)
- Iowa State (975)
The Cardinals are right in the thick of it, sitting just behind some of the sport's powerhouses. But if they can keep this kind of momentum going - especially with a strong showing in the ACC/SEC Challenge - it wouldn’t be surprising to see them break into that elusive top five.
For now, Louisville remains undefeated, unshaken, and undeniably dangerous.