Houston Tops Purdue to Lead AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll
The first regular-season AP Top 25 college basketball poll has brought significant changes from the preseason rankings, reflecting teams’ performances as the season unfolds. Houston leads the poll, overtaking Purdue, marking a dynamic start to the season.
Houston Tops Purdue in AP Top 25 Poll
In the latest rankings, Houston has clinched the number one spot, buoyed by a total of 1,462 points and 18 first-place votes. Purdue follows closely in second place with 1,459 points and 36 first-place votes. This marks a notable shift, as voters gain a clearer picture of team strengths early in the season.
Top 5 Teams
- 1. Houston: 2-0, 1,462 points (18 first-place votes)
- 2. Purdue: 2-0, 1,459 points (36 first-place votes)
- 3. UConn: 2-0, 1,361 points
- 4. Duke: 2-0, 1,223 points
- 5. Arizona: 2-0, 1,204 points
Houston secured its top ranking for the first time since a brief stint in early 2024. The Cougars have displayed dominance in their opening games, defeating Lehigh and Towson by an impressive average margin of 18 points. In contrast, Purdue’s performance was less commanding, showcasing a tough 87-77 victory against Oakland.
Notable Team Movements
Several teams made significant shifts in the rankings. Arizona surged eight spots after a stellar win over former champion Florida. Additionally, Alabama rose seven places, thanks to a high-scoring 103-96 win against St. John’s. North Carolina and Michigan State also made notable climbs, gaining seven and five positions, respectively.
- Arizona: Up 8 spots after defeating then-No. 3 Florida
- Alabama: Up 7 spots following win against then-No. 5 St. John’s
- North Carolina: Up 7 spots after beating then-No. 19 Kansas
- Michigan State: Up 5 spots with a win over then-No. 14 Arkansas
The fallout from these games resulted in significant drops for Florida, St. John’s, and Kansas. Florida fell to No. 10, St. John’s dropped to No. 13, and Kansas landed at No. 25.
Conference Overview
Analyzing the conference representation, both the Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten featured prominently, with six teams each in the rankings. The Big 12 also secured a solid presence, with three teams making the top 10.
- SEC: 6 ranked teams
- Big Ten: 6 ranked teams
- Big 12: 6 ranked teams
- ACC and Big East: 3 ranked teams each
- WCC: 1 ranked team (Gonzaga)
As the season progresses, teams like Indiana, under coach Darian DeVries, have shown potential for upward movement, highlighting the competitive landscape of college basketball. With early victories, Indiana is inching closer to a spot in the rankings, promising an exciting season ahead.
