Michigan Climbs to No. 3 in AP Top 25 Men’s Poll
In a remarkable ascent, Michigan has jumped to No. 3 in the Associated Press Top 25 men’s basketball poll. This leap comes as both Michigan State and Iowa State also secured spots in the top 10 rankings. Purdue remains at the top as the No. 1 team, followed closely by Arizona in the second position.
AP Top 25 Rankings Overview
Purdue continues to dominate the rankings, earning 40 first-place votes from a respected media panel of 61 members. Arizona captured six first-place votes, while Michigan gained 15 after a significant performance in the Players Era Championship.
| Rank | Team | Record | Points | First Place Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue | 7-0 | 1494 | (40) |
| 2 | Arizona | 7-0 | 1442 | (6) |
| 3 | Michigan | 7-0 | 1417 | (15) |
| 4 | Duke | 8-0 | 1355 | – |
| 5 | UConn | 6-1 | 1244 | – |
| 6 | Louisville | 7-0 | 1177 | – |
| 7 | Michigan State | 7-0 | 1095 | – |
| 8 | Houston | 7-1 | 1070 | – |
| 9 | BYU | 6-1 | 1037 | – |
| 10 | Iowa State | 7-0 | 975 | – |
Michigan’s Dominance
This season, Michigan has showcased impressive talent under coach Dusty May. The Wolverines began their Las Vegas tournament with a commanding 94-54 victory over San Diego State. Following that, they defeated then-No. 21 Auburn 102-72, and achieved a stunning 101-61 win against Gonzaga, marking coach Mark Few’s most significant loss in his career.
- Three wins combined by 110 points.
- Four consecutive wins, each by over 20 points.
- Significant victories against ranked opponents.
Yaxel Lendeborg, a forward for the Wolverines, stated, “Today was to put the world on notice that we’re here to be the best team in the nation.” His comments reflect the team’s ambitions as they aim for a national title.
Top Rankings Movement
Vanderbilt saw the largest increase in the rankings, moving up seven spots after clinching the Battle 4 Atlantis title. Iowa State, after securing three wins at the Players Era Championship, climbed five positions. Michigan State, meanwhile, ascended four spots after strong performances against East Carolina and North Carolina.
Conversely, reigning champion Florida dropped five spots to No. 15 following a loss to TCU. Alabama and St. John’s also faced setbacks, dropping in the rankings due to recent defeats.
Conference Representation
The Southeastern Conference continues to lead with seven teams in the AP Top 25. The Big 12 and Big Ten each secured six ranked teams, while the Big East had two and the West Coast Conference held one.
As the season progresses, the competition tightens, and rankings are expected to shift. Fans will be closely watching how these teams perform in the coming weeks.
