Michigan Leaps to No. 2 in AP Poll After Statement Wins; UConn Holds Strong in Women’s Rankings
There’s a new No. 2 in men’s college basketball, and it’s the Michigan Wolverines. After a week that featured not one, but two wins over top-10 conference rivals, Michigan made a big move in the latest AP Top 25 poll, jumping ahead of UConn and planting themselves firmly in the national spotlight.
Let’s break down what happened - and why it matters.
Michigan’s Resume Just Got a Lot Louder
The Wolverines didn’t just win last week - they made a statement. Michigan took down then-No.
5 Nebraska and then-No. 7 Michigan State in back-to-back Big Ten showdowns, boosting their record to 20-1 and giving voters exactly the kind of résumé-building wins that tend to shift rankings in February.
These weren’t just solid victories - they were the kind of high-stakes, high-quality wins that show a team is built for March. Michigan’s defense held firm in key moments, and their offensive execution down the stretch was as poised as it’s been all season. Whether it was timely perimeter shooting or controlling the glass in crunch time, the Wolverines looked every bit like a team ready to contend for a No. 1 seed come tournament time.
UConn Slides to No. 3 - But Still Very Much in the Hunt
UConn, now sitting at 21-1 and undefeated in Big East play at 11-0, dropped one spot to No. 3 despite winning both of their games last week - a testament to how much weight voters placed on Michigan’s quality of opposition. The Huskies handled business against Providence and Creighton, both solid programs, but neither ranked as high as the teams Michigan faced.
Still, there’s no reason for panic in Storrs. UConn hasn’t lost since Nov. 19, when they fell by just four points to No.
1 Arizona. Since that game, they’ve rattled off 17 straight wins and have looked every bit like a team capable of making a deep tournament run.
Their defense continues to be one of the most disciplined units in the country, and their depth gives them a matchup advantage against just about anyone.
This week offers another chance to add to the résumé. UConn will host Xavier before heading to Madison Square Garden for a marquee showdown with No.
23 St. John’s - the first of two meetings with the Red Storm down the stretch.
That Garden matchup is one to circle.
Arizona Still on Top
Arizona remains the lone unbeaten team in men’s Division I, sitting at 22-0 and holding onto the top spot in the AP poll. They’ve been the model of consistency all season and continue to find ways to win, whether it’s through their balanced scoring or their ability to control tempo. With the calendar flipping to February, the Wildcats are in prime position to secure a top seed - and maybe more.
UConn Women Keep Rolling at No. 1
On the women’s side, UConn remains the undisputed No. 1 team in the nation - and it’s not even close. The Huskies improved to 23-0 and 12-0 in Big East play, grabbing all 31 first-place votes in this week’s poll.
Their latest win? A dominant 96-66 performance against a then-No. 15-ranked opponent, a game that served as a bit of redemption nearly a year after that same team handed UConn a rare loss in Knoxville.
Since that defeat, UConn hasn’t dropped a single game.
The defending national champions are playing like a team that’s not interested in giving up their crown. Their offense is humming, their defense is suffocating, and their bench continues to contribute in meaningful ways. With eight Big East games left on the schedule, the Huskies are in full control of their destiny.
This week, they’ll hit the road to face DePaul before returning home to host Butler. On paper, both games are winnable - but at this stage, every contest is about fine-tuning for March.
AP Men’s Top 10 Rundown
Here’s how the top 10 shakes out in the men’s poll:
- Arizona (22-0)
- Michigan (20-1)
- UConn (21-1)
- Duke (20-1)
- Illinois (19-3)
- Gonzaga (22-1)
- Iowa State (20-2)
- Houston (19-2)
- Nebraska (20-2)
- Michigan State (19-3)
Plenty of familiar faces in the top 10, but Michigan’s leap and Nebraska’s resilience after a tough loss show just how competitive this year’s field is shaping up to be.
AP Women’s Top 5 Snapshot
- UConn (23-0)
- UCLA (21-1)
- South Carolina (21-2)
- Texas (21-2)
- LSU (21-2)
UCLA continues to apply pressure at No. 2, but UConn’s unblemished record and dominant wins keep them firmly in control.
As we head into the heart of conference play, the stakes only get higher. For Michigan, the climb to No. 2 is a sign of how far they’ve come - and how close they are to the top. For UConn, both the men’s and women’s teams remain firmly in the national conversation, with plenty of opportunities ahead to prove they belong at the very top.
The road to March is heating up. Buckle in.