As the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season progresses, the excitement is palpable across the league. Notably, the Big East has emerged as a competitive force, with multiple teams ranked in the top 10. Coaches like Dan Hurley from UConn recognize that this heightened competition enhances the league’s overall appeal.
Notable Matchups and Outcomes
Several thrilling games have characterized the early weeks of the season. Highlights include:
- Purdue, the top team in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, defeated No. 9 Alabama with a score of 87-80, led by Braden Smith’s 29 points.
- In a historic rivalry, No. 12 Louisville outpaced No. 8 Kentucky 96-88, with Mikel Brown Jr. and Ryan Conwell combining for 53 points on November 11.
- No. 3 UConn triumphed over No. 7 BYU in Boston with a narrow 86-84 victory.
- No. 14 Illinois edged out No. 11 Texas Tech 81-77, while No. 6 Arizona battled No. 15 UCLA to a 69-65 victory, reigniting their former conference rivalry.
- No. 2 Houston narrowly defeated No. 25 Auburn, finishing 73-72 in Birmingham, Alabama.
Updated Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 Rankings
Following these significant matchups, the updated USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 have been released. Below are the current rankings:
Coaches Poll Rankings
| Rank | Team | First-place Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue | 20 |
| 2 | Houston | 9 |
| 3 | UConn | – |
| 4 | Duke | 2 |
| 5 | Arizona | – |
| T-6 | Louisville | – |
| T-6 | Michigan | – |
| 8 | Illinois | – |
| 9 | Florida | – |
| 10 | BYU | – |
| 11 | Alabama | – |
| 12 | Gonzaga | – |
| 13 | Kentucky | – |
| 14 | Iowa State | – |
| 15 | Texas Tech | – |
| 16 | St. John’s | – |
| 17 | Tennessee | – |
| 18 | Michigan State | – |
| 19 | North Carolina | – |
| 20 | UCLA | – |
| 21 | Wisconsin | – |
| 22 | Arkansas | – |
| 23 | Kansas | – |
| 24 | Vanderbilt | – |
| 25 | Indiana | – |
AP Top 25 Rankings
| Rank | Team | First-place Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue | 44 |
| 2 | Houston | 12 |
| 3 | UConn | 2 |
| 4 | Arizona | 2 |
| 5 | Duke | 1 |
| 6 | Louisville | – |
| 7 | Michigan | – |
| 8 | Illinois | – |
| 9 | BYU | – |
| 10 | Florida | – |
| 11 | Alabama | – |
| 12 | Kentucky | – |
| 13 | Gonzaga | – |
| 14 | St. John’s | – |
| 15 | Texas Tech | – |
| 16 | Iowa State | – |
| 17 | Michigan State | – |
| 18 | North Carolina | – |
| 19 | UCLA | – |
| 20 | Tennessee | – |
| 21 | Arkansas | – |
| 22 | Auburn | – |
| 23 | Wisconsin | – |
| 24 | Kansas | – |
| 25 | NC State | – |
Future Implications for the Big East
The presence of strong competitors in the Big East, such as St. John’s and Creighton, reinforces the league’s intensity. Such rivalries and matchups will undoubtedly shape the landscape of college basketball this season, leading to a highly-anticipated March. Fans and analysts alike will continue to watch these developments closely as the season unfolds.
