Michigan Rockets to No. 3 in AP Poll After Statement Wins in Vegas
It’s been a week to remember for Michigan basketball - and the rest of the country is taking notice.
After steamrolling its way through the Players Era tournament in Las Vegas, Michigan made a seismic leap in the latest AP Top 25 poll, jumping from No. 7 to No. 3. The Wolverines didn’t just win - they dominated, and the voters rewarded them with 15 first-place votes, trailing only Purdue and Arizona.
Let’s be clear: this Michigan team isn’t just hot - it’s playing like a national title contender.
Wolverines Make Their Presence Felt
Michigan’s run in Las Vegas was nothing short of a statement. The Wolverines opened the tournament with a 94-54 dismantling of San Diego State.
Then came a 102-72 blowout of then-No. 21 Auburn.
But the exclamation point? A 101-61 thrashing of 12th-ranked Gonzaga - the worst loss of Mark Few’s 902-game coaching career.
That’s three wins by a combined 110 points, and the last two came against ranked teams. That’s not just winning - that’s sending a message.
Head coach Dusty May, in just his second season, already has his squad playing with the kind of cohesion and confidence that typically takes years to build. After reaching the Sweet 16 last year, Michigan looks poised to make an even deeper run this time around.
Michigan State Joins the Climb
Michigan wasn’t the only team from the Mitten State making moves. Michigan State climbed four spots to No. 7 after a dominant showing at the Fort Myers Tip-Off, capped by a convincing 74-58 win over then-No.
16 North Carolina on Thanksgiving Day. The Spartans are also 7-0 and are starting to look like the kind of team that thrives in the grind of Big Ten play.
Their first test in conference action comes Tuesday night against Iowa at the Breslin Center. Meanwhile, Michigan will wait until Saturday to open its Big Ten slate at home against Rutgers.
Top of the Poll: Purdue and Arizona Hold Steady
Purdue held onto the No. 1 spot with 40 first-place votes, while Arizona stayed at No. 2 with six. Michigan’s 15 first-place votes show the growing national belief in the Wolverines’ potential - and if they keep this up, that No. 1 spot could be within reach.
Duke and UConn rounded out the top five, each holding their ground from last week. Louisville, still unbeaten, stayed at No. 6.
Other Big Movers
- Vanderbilt made the biggest leap of the week, vaulting seven spots to No. 17 after winning the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas.
- Iowa State climbed five spots to crack the top 10 at No. 10 after a strong showing at the Players Era championship.
- Tennessee moved up four places to No. 13 after a solid week that included a win over Houston.
- Kansas re-entered the poll at No. 21 after a three-win week at the Players Era.
Teams Sliding the Wrong Way
- St. John’s took the biggest tumble, falling nine spots to No. 23 after losses to Iowa State and Auburn.
- Florida, last year’s national champ, dropped five places to No. 15 after a loss to TCU.
- Alabama fell four spots to No. 12 after dropping its Players Era opener to Gonzaga.
New Faces and Notable Absences
- Southern Cal entered the rankings at No. 24 after a perfect run through the Maui Invitational, marking their first appearance in the poll since the 2023-24 season.
- Kansas, as mentioned, is back in the mix at No.
- On the flip side, UCLA dropped out from No. 18 after an 80-72 loss to California in the Empire Classic final.
- NC State also exited the rankings following a 1-2 performance at Maui and didn’t receive a single vote this week.
Conference Breakdown
The SEC leads the way again with seven teams in the Top 25. The Big Ten and Big 12 each have six, showcasing the depth and strength of both conferences. The Big East has two, while the WCC is represented by Gonzaga.
AP Top 25 Snapshot
Here’s how the full Top 25 shakes out this week:
- Purdue (7-0) - 40 first-place votes
- Arizona (7-0) - 6 first-place votes
- Michigan (7-0) - 15 first-place votes
- Duke (8-0)
- UConn (6-1)
- Louisville (7-0)
- Michigan State (7-0)
- Houston (7-1)
- BYU (6-1)
- Iowa State (7-0)
- Gonzaga (7-1)
- Alabama (5-2)
- Tennessee (7-1)
- Illinois (6-2)
- Florida (5-2)
- North Carolina (6-1)
- Vanderbilt (8-0)
- Kentucky (5-2)
- Texas Tech (6-2)
- Auburn (6-2)
- Kansas (6-2)
- Indiana (7-0)
- **St.
John’s** (4-3)
24.
Southern Cal (7-0)
25.
Arkansas (5-2)
What’s Next?
With conference play looming, the early-season fireworks are only setting the stage for what promises to be a wild few months in college basketball. Michigan and Michigan State are both undefeated, both top-10, and both looking like serious contenders. Circle their first meeting on the calendar - because if this pace holds, it could be a top-five showdown with major implications.
For now, Michigan’s message is loud and clear: they’re not just back - they’re coming for it all.