Arizona Remains Unanimous No. 1 in AP Poll Ahead of BYU Clash
Arizona continues to shine as the unanimous No. 1 team in the AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll. The Wildcats, who are enjoying their best start since the 2013-14 season, received all 60 first-place votes. Their perfect record of 20-0 places them third in historic terms for the program. They are set to face No. 13 BYU in a highly anticipated matchup.
Nebraska Climbs to New Heights
Fellow unbeaten Nebraska has also made headlines, climbing to a program-best fifth place in the rankings. The Cornhuskers boast a 20-0 record and are currently riding a remarkable 24-game win streak, the longest by any Big Ten team since Ohio State’s 24 straight wins in the 2010-11 season.
Upcoming Challenges for Top Teams
Arizona’s road to maintain their undefeated status will not be easy, with big games on the horizon. Nebraska will face challenging matchups against Michigan and No. 9 Illinois this week. Freshman star Koa Peat emphasized the team’s focus, stating, “We’re just trying to win one game every week.”
Other Notable Rankings and Changes
- Duke remains at No. 4, while Gonzaga moved up two spots to No. 6 following a narrow escape against San Francisco.
- Michigan State, Iowa State, and Illinois round out the top ten, with Houston remaining at No. 10 despite a recent loss to Texas Tech.
- Purdue suffered a significant drop, falling to No. 12 after back-to-back losses.
Conference Rankings
The Big 12 and Big Ten conferences dominate the Top 25, with Arizona representing the Big 12 alongside three other top-10 teams. In comparison, the Big Ten features five teams in the ranking, including Michigan, Nebraska, and Illinois.
NET Rankings Overview
The NCAA’s NET rankings released recently closely follow the Top 25, with minor discrepancies. UConn ranks lower at No. 8, and Texas Tech is down at No. 18, while Illinois has improved to No. 6.
Other Key Insights
- St. John’s returns to the poll after a mid-December exit, achieving two crucial wins.
- North Carolina made the biggest leap, climbing six spots to No. 15 after wins against Notre Dame and Virginia.
- Alabama dropped six spots to No. 23 following a defeat to Tennessee.
With the season still in its early stages, the competition remains fierce as teams strive to establish themselves ahead of conference tournaments. Keep an eye on Filmogaz.com for further updates on the AP Top 25 and exciting college basketball action.
