Was the First AP Poll of the 2025-26 Men’s College Basketball Season Accurate?
The first AP Poll of the 2025–26 college basketball season has arrived, and while the overall structure feels solid, there are still plenty of rankings worth debating. The top five teams, including Purdue, Houston, Florida, UConn, and St. John’s, are a strong and fairly accurate reflection of the current college basketball landscape. Purdue and Houston deserve to headline the rankings, both returning veteran cores with proven leadership and defensive identity. Florida’s inclusion in the top three signals national recognition of its high-tempo offense and athletic roster built through the transfer portal. The surprises come at fourth and fifth, where both UConn and St. John’s crack the top tier. UConn’s inclusion isn’t shocking given the program’s recent pedigree, but placing them above programs like Duke or Kentucky may be premature considering their roster turnover. St. John’s, meanwhile, is one of the most intriguing inclusions. Rick Pitino’s squad has undeniable talent, but it’s still surprising to see the Red Storm ranked at their highest in program history. Following some intersquad scrimmages and live practices, coach Pitino might be tinkering with his starting lineup, and it could be a few weeks into the season before he fully utilizes all the talent on his roster.
Moving into the next group, the six through ten range—Duke, Michigan, BYU, Kentucky, and Texas Tech—is arguably the most balanced portion of the poll, though it could use a few adjustments. Duke at sixth feels a touch generous, while Kentucky’s deep and versatile roster arguably deserves to be higher. Swapping Duke and Kentucky would better reflect preseason expectations, especially with Kentucky’s blend of experience and freshman star power. Similarly, BYU at eighth appears slightly inflated following a strong finish last season, while Texas Tech at tenth might be undervalued. The Red Raiders boast one of the more complete lineups in the country and will likely feature two All-Americans in JT Toppin and Christian Anderson. Among the mid-tier teams, one of the more puzzling placements is Arkansas at 14th. The Razorbacks have reloaded through the portal and return enough offensive firepower to challenge for a top-ten spot. They should easily be ahead of UCLA, which is ranked 12th, a team still searching for its identity after getting star transfer guard Donovan Dent. Elsewhere, Iowa State and Arizona probably deserve to swap spots. The Cyclones’ defensive discipline and returning experience give them a stronger early-season edge, while Arizona enters the year with more question marks around chemistry and identity.
The bottom half of the poll offers even more room for debate. Tennessee and Alabama could easily trade places, as Alabama’s injuries could hold back their ceiling. Tennessee, on the other hand, has an explosive offense and depth that may carry them higher early in the season. In the numbers 22-25, two swaps stand out: Michigan State, ranked 22nd, feels generous given last year’s inconsistency, while Oregon is poised to make a statement with an improved roster that should push them into the top 25. Likewise, North Carolina sneaking in at number 25 appears more reputation-based than performance-based, especially considering recent roster turnover. San Diego State, a program that continues to exceed expectations and defend at an elite level, would be a more deserving replacement. Overall, this first AP Poll of the season captures the general hierarchy of college basketball but still leans on a few traditional name brands rather than purely evaluating current potential. It’s a strong baseline, but as always, the early weeks of the season will quickly reveal which teams are truly built to contend and which ones are merely riding preseason hype.
