The sixth AP High 25 ballot of the 2025-26 season launched, and the highest of the rankings remained usually unchanged. After leaping to No. 1 final week over Michigan and Duke, Arizona held agency on the high spot and obtained 42 first-place votes.
The Wildcats added to the most effective résumés within the nation by defeating Alabama 96-75. Arizona boasts 5 ranked wins: Florida, UCLA, UConn, Alabama and Auburn. Michigan obtained the second-most first-place votes (15) after defeating Villanova and Maryland. Duke, one other workforce that challenged for the No. 1 spot, was idle.
Talking of the Massive Ten, the most effective tales within the sport is brewing. Nebraska jumped eight spots to No. 15 after pulling off a dramatic 83-80 win over Illinois on the street after Jamarques Lawrence knocked down a 3-pointer with 0.2 seconds remaining.
The Cornhuskers are 11-0 for the primary time in program historical past, together with a 2-0 begin in Massive Ten play. Nebraska is considered one of 5 groups from the Massive Ten which opened the season 2-0 in convention play. Nebraska earned its highest rating since 1991.
School basketball rankings: High-ranked Michigan, No. 2 Arizona might keep in respective slots for some time
Gary Parrish
Reigning nationwide champion Florida dropped 5 spots to No. 23 after falling to UConn. The Gators sit at 6-4 with lower than three weeks remaining till SEC play begins. Florida is 0-3 in opposition to ranked opponents up to now.
AP High 25
The highest 25 groups in The Related Press’ school basketball ballot, with first-place votes in parentheses, information by Sunday, whole factors based mostly on 25 factors for a first-place vote by one level for a Twenty fifth-place vote and final week’s rating:
| Rank | Crew | Report | Factors | Prev. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona (42) | 9-0 | 1,500 | 1 |
| 2 | Michigan (15) | 10-0 | 1,470 | 2 |
| 3 | Duke (3) | 10-0 | 1,406 | 3 |
| 4 | Iowa State (1) | 11-0 | 1,336 | 4 |
| 5 | UConn | 10-1 | 1,286 | 5 |
| 6 | Purdue | 10-1 | 1,195 | 6 |
| 7 | Gonzaga | 10-1 | 1,109 | 8 |
| 8 | Houston | 10-1 | 1,079 | 7 |
| 9 | Michigan State | 9-1 | 1,037 | 9 |
| 10 | BYU | 9-1 | 1,017 | 10 |
| 11 | Louisville | 9-1 | 921 | 11 |
| 12 | North Carolina | 9-1 | 794 | 14 |
| 13 | Vanderbilt | 10-0 | 766 | 15 |
| 14 | Arkansas | 8-2 | 726 | 17 |
| 15 | Nebraska | 11-0 | 655 | 23 |
| 16 | Alabama | 7-3 | 644 | 12 |
| 17 | Kansas | 8-3 | 502 | 19 |
| 18 | Illinois | 8-3 | 483 | 13 |
| 19 | Texas Tech | 7-3 | 314 | 16 |
| 20 | Tennessee | 7-3 | 286 | 20 |
| 21 | Auburn | 8-3 | 283 | 21 |
| 22 | St. John’s | 6-3 | 250 | 22 |
| T23 | Florida | 6-4 | 200 | 18 |
| T23 | Virginia | 9-1 | 200 | 24 |
| 25 | Georgia | 9-1 | 82 | NR |
Others receiving votes: USC 68, Iowa 47, Seton Corridor 46, LSU 19, Kentucky 19, UCLA 16, Clemson 14, California 13, Saint Mary’s 12, Arizona State 5, Villanova 5, Notre Dame 4, Indiana 4, Miami (Ohio) 4, Miami 4, Utah State 2, Saint Louis 1, Wisconsin 1.
Voters nonetheless favor Arizona at No. 1
It is not a shock that Arizona held agency at No. 1 this week. The Wildcats recorded an announcement win in opposition to Alabama and have the most effective résumés in school basketball. Though Michigan recorded a blowout win over Villanova and a victory over Maryland in Massive Ten play, it wasn’t sufficient to swing the voters this week. In truth, Arizona will doubtless maintain on to the No. 1 spot till when/if it loses. Michigan’s subsequent huge sport is in opposition to USC on Jan. 2. Duke was idle this week. Nevertheless, the Blue Devils have a key matchup in opposition to Texas Tech this weekend.
Welcome to the ballot, Georgia
For the primary time this season, Georgia has entered the ballot. The Bulldogs checked in at No. 25 after enhancing to 9-1 with a win over Cincinnati final week. Georgia’s lone loss this season got here in opposition to Clemson in a 97-94 thriller. Since that loss, the Bulldogs have gained three consecutive video games. Final season, Georgia was ranked as soon as within the AP ballot. The following take a look at for the Bulldogs will come in opposition to Auburn on Jan. 3 of their SEC opener.