College Basketball Rankings: Michigan Vaults to No. 3 in AP Top 25, Purdue Holds Firm at No. 1
Meta Description: The Week 4 AP Top 25 poll for the 2025-26 season is live. Michigan surges to No. 3 after decimating Gonzaga, Vanderbilt cracks the Top 20, and Purdue remains the unanimous No. 1. Here is the complete breakdown and what is next for every ranked team.
The Lead: Michigan’s “Statement in the Desert” Shakes Up the Top 5
The holiday tournaments are the first true litmus test of the college basketball season, and no team capitalized more on "Feast Week" than the Michigan Wolverines. In a stunning display at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, head coach Dusty May’s squad didn't just win; they annihilated the competition.
Michigan (7-0) vaulted four spots to No. 3 in the Week 4 Associated Press Men's Basketball Poll released Monday. Their crown jewel? A 101-61 dismantling of then-No. 12 Gonzaga in the title game—a 40-point margin that stands as the Zags' worst loss in 35 years. With 15 first-place votes now in their pocket, the Wolverines have disrupted the anticipated Purdue-Duke-UConn hegemony.
"We thought we could dictate pace," Michigan coach Dusty May said following the rout. "The reason we're scoring is because we're sharing the ball."
While the Wolverines steal the headlines, the Purdue Boilermakers (7-0) remain the kings of the hill, retaining 40 first-place votes and the No. 1 ranking after a flawless start. Arizona (7-0) holds steady at No. 2, setting up a potential heavy-weight clash for the top spot later this month.
Here is the complete breakdown of the Week 4 AP Top 25 and, crucially, what’s next for every contender.
The Top 5: National Title Favorites
1. Purdue Boilermakers (7-0)
Previous Rank: 1 (—)
The Resume: Unblemished. Purdue has handled business with surgical precision, including a 109-62 demolition of Eastern Illinois. Their defensive efficiency in the paint is currently ranking in the top 3 nationally.
What’s Next: The Boilermakers host Maryland to open Big Ten play this week. It’s a classic trap game scenario against a physical conference opponent, but Purdue’s depth should prevail.
2. Arizona Wildcats (7-0)
Previous Rank: 2 (—)
The Resume: Arizona avoided the chaos of tournament upsets, handling Norfolk State comfortably (98-61). Their high-octane offense is averaging over 90 points per game, but they haven't faced a top-tier defense in two weeks.
What’s Next: The Wildcats face a stiff road test against Clemson this weekend. A win here validates their No. 2 status before the schedule toughens in late December.
3. Michigan Wolverines (7-0)
Previous Rank: 7 (▲ +4)
The Resume: The undisputed winners of the week. Wins over San Diego State, No. 21 Auburn, and the 40-point drubbing of No. 12 Gonzaga earned them the Players Era title. They are shooting 48% from deep over the last three games.
What’s Next: A return to Ann Arbor to host Rutgers on Dec. 6. The challenge now is mental: avoiding the "championship hangover" after such an emotional high in Vegas.
4. Duke Blue Devils (8-0)
Previous Rank: 4 (—)
The Resume: Duke proved their mettle with a gritty 80-71 win over No. 25 Arkansas at the United Center. Freshman sensation Cameron Boozer dropped 35 points, silencing doubts about the Blue Devils' youth in crunch time.
What’s Next: TONIGHT: A massive showdown. Duke hosts No. 15 Florida (Dec. 2) at Cameron Indoor Stadium. This is the marquee matchup of the ACC/SEC Challenge and a chance for Duke to make a case for No. 1.
5. UConn Huskies (6-1)
Previous Rank: 5 (—)
The Resume: The Huskies bounced back from their lone loss with a dominant 74-61 win over No. 14 Illinois. Dan Hurley’s defense strangled the Illini, proving UConn is still the standard for physicality.
What’s Next: They face Baylor in a Big East-Big 12 Battle matchup on Wednesday. This will be a clash of styles: UConn’s structured sets vs. Baylor’s athletic versatility.
The Risers: Vanderbilt & USC Crash the Party
Vanderbilt Commodores (No. 17)
Movement: ▲ +7 (Biggest Riser)
Why: Vanderbilt (8-0) shocked the field to win the Battle 4 Atlantis, crushing St. Mary's 96-71 in the final. Guard Duke Miles was electric, earning Tournament MVP honors. Under Mark Byington, the 'Dores are playing with a pace and confidence rarely seen in Nashville.
What’s Next: A heat check. They host SMU on Wednesday night in the ACC/SEC Challenge. Can they keep the undefeated streak alive against a Power 4 opponent at home?
USC Trojans (No. 24)
Movement: New Entry
Why: Eric Musselman’s new squad is clicking early. USC (7-0) won the Maui Invitational (Southwest bracket), defeating Arizona State in the final. They are ranked for the first time since Nov. 2023.
What’s Next: Heading into Big Ten play, they must prove their 7-0 start isn't just a product of a favorable schedule. A road trip to Oregon looms next week.
Iowa State Cyclones (No. 10)
Movement: ▲ +5
Why: Defense travels. The Cyclones (7-0) swept their bracket at the Players Era Festival, suffocating opponents and climbing back into the Top 10.
What’s Next: The Cyclones prepare for the Cy-Hawk rivalry game against Iowa next week. Expect a low-scoring, intense affair.
The Fallers: Gonzaga & St. John's Reeling
St. John's Red Storm (No. 23)
Movement: ▼ -9
Why: Rick Pitino’s team went 1-2 in Vegas, with losses to Iowa State and Auburn exposing major defensive holes. They fell from No. 14 to the brink of unranked status.
What’s Next: A "get right" week of practice before facing Kansas State in the Big East-Big 12 Battle. Pitino will likely tighten the rotation significantly.
Gonzaga Bulldogs (No. 11)
Movement: ▼ -1 (Surprisingly stable)
Why: Despite the 40-point loss to Michigan, voters respected Gonzaga's body of work (7-1 record) enough to keep them near the Top 10. However, the lack of rim protection was glaring.
What’s Next: There is no rest for the weary. Gonzaga travels to Rupp Arena to face No. 18 Kentucky on Dec. 5. Another blowout loss could send them free-falling.
Complete AP Top 25 Standings & Future Outlook
| Rank | Team | Record | Trend | Key Insight & Next Game |
| 6 | Louisville | 7-0 | — | The Pat Kelsey era is off to a roaring start. Next: vs. Ole Miss (ACC/SEC Challenge). |
| 7 | Michigan State | 7-0 | ▲ +4 | Tom Izzo has them peaking early for once. Next: @ Minnesota (Big Ten Opener). |
| 8 | Houston | 7-1 | ▼ -5 | Defense is elite, offense is suspect. Next: vs. Butler. |
| 9 | BYU | 6-1 | — | Kevin Young's pro-style offense is working. Next: @ Providence. |
| 10 | Iowa State | 7-0 | ▲ +5 | Top 5 defense in efficiency. Next: vs. Marquette (Dec 4). |
| 11 | Gonzaga | 7-1 | ▼ -1 | Needs to rebound immediately. Next: @ No. 18 Kentucky (Dec 5). |
| 12 | Alabama | 5-2 | ▼ -4 | Dangerous but inconsistent. Next: @ North Carolina (Dec 4). |
| 13 | Tennessee | 7-1 | ▲ +4 | Beat Houston, lost to Kansas. Battle tested. Next: vs. Syracuse. |
| 14 | Illinois | 6-2 | ▼ -1 | Tough loss to UConn, but they are legit. Next: vs. Northwestern. |
| 15 | Florida | 5-2 | ▼ -5 | Stumbled vs TCU. Next: @ No. 4 Duke (Tonight). |
| 16 | North Carolina | 6-1 | — | Needs bench production. Next: vs. No. 12 Alabama (Must Watch). |
| 17 | Vanderbilt | 8-0 | ▲ +7 | The nation's surprise team. Next: vs. SMU (Dec 3). |
| 18 | Kentucky | 5-2 | ▲ +1 | Finding rhythm under Pope. Next: vs. No. 11 Gonzaga (Dec 5). |
| 19 | Texas Tech | 6-2 | ▲ +1 | Gritty and tough at home. Next: vs. LSU (Dec 7). |
| 20 | Auburn | 6-2 | ▲ +1 | Bruce Pearl's squad is volatile but high-ceiling. Next: @ Duke (Dec 4). |
| 21 | Kansas | 6-2 | New | Back in the poll after beating Tennessee. Next: vs. Creighton. |
| 22 | Indiana | 7-0 | ▲ +3 | Quietly undefeated. Next: vs. Miami (FL). |
| 23 | St. John's | 4-3 | ▼ -9 | Defense must improve. Next: vs. Kansas State. |
| 24 | USC | 7-0 | New | Maui Champs. Next: @ Washington State. |
| 25 | Arkansas | 5-2 | ▼ -3 | Competitive loss to Duke kept them ranked. Next: vs. Miami. |
Games of the Week (Dec 2 - Dec 7)
If you only watch three games this week, make it these:
No. 15 Florida at No. 4 Duke (Dec 2, 7:30 PM ET): A massive test for Florida's guards against Duke's length. The atmosphere at Cameron Indoor will be electric.
No. 12 Alabama at No. 16 North Carolina (Dec 4): A potential scoreboard-breaking game. Both teams play fast. First to 90 wins.
No. 11 Gonzaga at No. 18 Kentucky (Dec 5): A "Crossroads Game." The loser of this matchup faces significant questions about their ceiling this season.
Data courtesy of the Associated Press and NCAA stats database.
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