The latest AP Top 25 poll has brought a new order to college basketball, as Houston claims the No. 1 spot. The Cougars surpassed Purdue after a successful start to the season, earning a total of 18 first-place votes from a 61-person media panel.
Houston Tops the AP Top 25 Poll
Houston is now ranked first, having accumulated 1,462 points. This marks their return to the top position for the first time since a brief period in 2024. In contrast, Purdue, which had secured the No. 1 rank in the preseason for the first time in the program’s history, dropped to second place with 1,459 points after recent performances.
Key Poll Highlights
- 1. Houston: 18 first-place votes, 1,462 points.
- 2. Purdue: 36 first-place votes, 1,459 points.
- 3. UConn: 3 first-place votes, 1,361 points.
- 4. Duke: 2 first-place votes, 1,223 points.
- 5. Arizona: 2,040 points.
Purdue struggled against Oakland, narrowly winning 87-77. Guard Fletcher Loyer acknowledged that the Boilermakers need to improve their defensive efforts to maintain their ranking. “If we’re supposed to be the No. 1 team in the country, we’ve got to be better than that,” he stated.
Rising Teams in the Ranking
Arizona made significant progress, jumping eight spots to reach No. 5 after defeating reigning champion Florida. Likewise, Alabama climbed seven positions following a thrilling victory over St. John’s.
Impact of Recent Games
Recent games have led to notable shifts in rankings. Notable movements included:
- Florida dropped from No. 3 to No. 10 after their loss to Arizona.
- St. John’s fell from No. 5 to No. 13 after losing to Alabama.
- Kansas slipped from No. 19 to No. 25 after losing to North Carolina.
Conference Representation
Currently, the Southeastern Conference, Big Ten, and Big 12 each boast six teams in the rankings. They represent 72% of the overall poll. The Atlantic Coast Conference and Big East follow, each with three ranked teams. Gonzaga stands out as the sole representative from the West Coast Conference, holding the No. 19 spot.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, eyes are on Indiana’s coach Darian DeVries, known for turning programs around. The Hoosiers have started strong, winning against Alabama A&M and Marquette. They will face two less formidable opponents, Milwaukee and Incarnate Word, but victories could propel them into the rankings.
The AP Top 25 will continue to evolve, reflecting teams’ performances as the season unfolds. Houston’s rise underscores the competitive nature of college basketball, setting the stage for an exciting year ahead.
