Arizona remains on top of the college basketball world with UConn at number two. The Wildcats improved to 18‑0 after two wins last week. Their perfect record helped them earn the program’s first unanimous No. 1 ranking. Iowa State’s two losses opened the door for Arizona to sweep all 61 votes. The Cyclones dropped seven spots to No. 9 after their undefeated season ended. Arizona has now held the top ranking for six straight weeks. This is their longest run since an eight‑week streak in the 2013‑14 season. UConn, Michigan, Purdue and Duke rounded out the top five in this week’s poll. Arizona remains one of only three undefeated Division I teams. Their consistency has separated them from the rest of the field.
UConn Survives Road Scare Against Georgetown
UConn stayed close behind Arizona with a gritty win. The Huskies improved to 18‑1 after edging Georgetown 64‑62 on Saturday. UConn struggled with cold shooting throughout the game. Georgetown pushed the Huskies deep into the second half. UConn relied on defense and late execution to escape with the win. The victory kept the Huskies unbeaten in Big East play at 8‑0. Next up is a home matchup with Villanova on Saturday at noon. The Huskies continue to show toughness in difficult road environments. Their consistency keeps them firmly in the national title conversation.
Poll Movement Shakes Up the Middle of the Rankings
Clemson made the biggest jump among ranked teams. The Tigers climbed four spots to No. 18 after wins over Boston College and Miami. Texas Tech also surged this week. The Red Raiders moved up three places to No. 12 after beating Utah and BYU. North Carolina suffered the week’s steepest fall. The Tar Heels dropped eight spots to No. 22 after two losses. Iowa State fell seven places to No. 9 after losing to Kansas and Cincinnati. Vanderbilt dropped five spots to No. 15 after two losses ended its undefeated run. The middle of the poll saw dramatic movement as conference play intensified.
Conference Strength on Full Display
Kansas returned to the poll this week. Their re‑entry gives the Big 12 a nation‑best six ranked teams. The SEC, Big Ten and ACC each placed five teams in the rankings. The Big East, West Coast, Atlantic‑10 and Mid‑American conferences each earned one ranked team. Conference depth continues to shape the national picture. The Big 12 remains the strongest league from top to bottom. Arizona’s dominance highlights the growing separation at the top. The rest of the field continues to battle for position as February approaches.
