Purdue Rises to No. 1 in AP Top 25 Poll Amid Shocking Shifts

UPDATE: The latest AP Top 25 poll for the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season has just dropped, and major shifts are sending shockwaves through the rankings! After a stunning victory over Alabama, the Purdue Boilermakers surge to the top, displacing the former No. 1, the Houston Cougars, who fall to No. 2.

This critical ranking update is essential for fans and teams alike, as it highlights the intense competition at the start of the season. Purdue, now with a 4-0 record, makes history with its victory against Alabama, marking just their third road win against an AP Top-10 team. Meanwhile, UConn holds steady at No. 3, while Duke and Arizona swap positions to round out the top five.

The poll, released on November 14, 2025, reveals significant movements, with Louisville, Illinois, and Gonzaga climbing six spots each, now ranked Nos. 6, 8, and 13, respectively. In contrast, Texas Tech and UCLA face declines, dropping four spots to Nos. 15 and 19.

Notably, the NC State Wolfpack makes an impressive entry into the rankings at No. 25 after a solid performance, while Creighton drops out.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the top five teams:

1. Purdue Boilermakers

Previous ranking: 2
2025-26 record: 4-0
Stat to know: Purdue’s victory against Alabama is a historic achievement, marking their third road win against a non-conference AP Top-10 team since 1982.
What’s next: Thursday vs. Memphis at 6 p.m. on CBSSN.

2. Houston Cougars

Previous ranking: 1
2025-26 record: 4-0
Stat to know: Houston now boasts 16 wins against AP-ranked opponents since joining the Big 12.
What’s next: Thursday vs. Rider at 9 p.m. on TNT/truTV.

3. UConn Huskies

Previous ranking: 3
2025-26 record: 4-0
Stat to know: Three players scored over 20 points against BYU, a first for UConn against an AP Top-10 team in 30 years.
What’s next: Wednesday vs. Arizona at 7 p.m. on FS1.

4. Arizona Wildcats

Previous ranking: 5
2025-26 record: 4-0
Stat to know: Under coach Tommy Lloyd, Arizona has a .639 win percentage against AP-ranked opponents.
What’s next: Wednesday at UConn at 7 p.m. on FS1.

5. Duke Blue Devils

Previous ranking: 4
2025-26 record: 4-0
Stat to know: Cameron Boozer scored 35 points and 10 rebounds, setting a new benchmark for Duke freshmen.
What’s next: Tuesday vs. Kansas at 9 p.m. on ESPN.

As teams gear up for critical matchups this week, all eyes will be on Purdue’s quest to maintain their lead and Houston’s effort to reclaim the top spot. Fans are eagerly waiting to see how this rollercoaster season unfolds.

Stay tuned for further updates and follow your favorite teams as they battle it out on the court!