Michigan Crowned Final No. 1 in AP Top 25 for 2025-2026
Michigan’s impressive performance in men’s college basketball has earned the team the final No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press Top 25 for the 2025-2026 season. With a record of 37 wins and 3 losses, the Wolverines captured their first national championship in 37 years.
Michigan’s Historic Championship Victory
The Wolverines secured the national title by defeating UConn 69-63 in a hard-fought match held in Indianapolis. This victory marks Michigan’s first NCAA title since 1989 and signifies a major accomplishment for the Big Ten, which hadn’t seen a championship since 2000.
Throughout the season, Michigan maintained a strong position in the rankings. The team reached the No. 1 spot briefly in mid-February and never fell below fourth place after November under head coach Dusty May.
Final Associated Press Top 25 Rankings
The final rankings saw UConn finishing in second place, followed by Arizona, Duke, and Illinois. Notably, UConn jumped five spots, while Illinois rose eight places after their impressive Final Four appearances. The top ten teams are as follows:
- 1. Michigan (37-3, Big Ten)
- 2. UConn (34-6, Big East)
- 3. Arizona (36-3, Big 12)
- 4. Duke (35-3, ACC)
- 5. Illinois (28-9, Big Ten)
- 6. Purdue (30-9, Big Ten)
- 7. Houston (30-7, Big 12)
- 8. Iowa State (29-8, Big 12)
- 9. Florida (27-8, SEC)
- 10. St. John’s (30-7, Big East)
Teams such as Iowa and Texas made their mark this season. Iowa achieved a ranking of No. 15 after reaching the Elite Eight, including a notable upset against the defending champion, Florida. On the other hand, Texas climbed to the 22nd spot after advancing from the First Four to the Sweet 16.
Additional Rankings and Votes
A total of 15 additional teams received votes in the final poll. UCLA and Saint Louis led this category with 51 votes each. Other notable teams include:
- Utah State (45 votes)
- High Point (37 votes) – Upset Wisconsin in the first round
- VCU (29 votes)
- Miami (OH) (26 votes)
Other teams receiving votes include BYU, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Auburn, which won the NIT.
Full List of Final AP Top 25 Rankings
| Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Wisconsin | 24-11 |
| 24 | Miami (FL) | 26-9 |
| 23 | Louisville | 24-11 |
| 22 | Texas | 21-15 |
| 21 | Texas Tech | 23-11 |
| 20 | Kansas | 24-11 |
| 19 | Vanderbilt | 27-9 |
| 18 | Gonzaga | 31-4 |
| 17 | Virginia | 30-6 |
| 16 | Alabama | 25-10 |
| 15 | Iowa | 24-13 |
| 14 | Nebraska | 28-7 |
| 13 | Arkansas | 28-9 |
| 12 | Tennessee | 25-12 |
| 11 | Michigan State | 27-8 |
This season’s performance solidifies Michigan’s place in college basketball history. Fans eagerly anticipate what the future holds for the Wolverines, especially following their stellar season.
