Image Source: Eddie Timanus
Key Takeaways
- Arizona remains at No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll for the second consecutive week, claiming all 31 first-place votes
- Michigan moves up to No. 2 after Iowa State’s fall to No. 9
- Nebraska continues to make history, reaching a new all-time high ranking at No. 7
- Saint Louis and St. John’s join the top 25, while Utah State and Iowa drop out
- North Carolina falls to No. 24 after a tough week in the Bay Area
Introduction to the Latest Poll
The latest USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll has been released, and for the first time this season, there is a unanimous decision at the top. As the article states, "Arizona managed to avoid the upset bug for another week. Thus the still-undefeated Wildcats remain at No. 1 for a second consecutive poll, this time claiming all 31 first-place votes." This is a significant achievement for the Wildcats, who have been able to maintain their perfect record and solidify their position as the top team in the country.
Movement in the Top 10
The rest of the top 10 has seen some significant changes, with Michigan moving up to No. 2 after Iowa State’s fall to No. 9. As the article notes, "Last week’s second-ranked team wasn’t as fortunate, as Iowa State tumbles all the way to No. 9 after dropping a pair of road games in the Big 12." This drop has allowed other teams to move up the rankings, with Connecticut, Purdue, and Duke rounding out the top five. Houston, Nebraska, and Gonzaga follow closely behind, with the Cornhuskers continuing to make history with their new all-time high ranking at No. 7. As the article states, "The Cornhuskers, now at No. 7 and one of only three remaining teams yet to lose, continues to establish new all-time high rankings for the program."
Teams on the Rise and Fall
Other teams have also seen significant movement in the rankings, with Michigan State moving up two positions to rejoin the top 10. Illinois and Texas Tech have also moved up two positions, to No. 11 and No. 12 respectively. On the other hand, Vanderbilt has fallen back six spots to No. 14, while North Carolina has dropped nine places to No. 24 after a tough week in the Bay Area. As the article notes, "North Carolina went 0-2 in the Bay Area last week but hangs on to a spot in the poll at No. 24, down nine places." Despite this, the Tar Heels are still managing to cling to a spot in the top 25.
New Additions to the Top 25
This week’s poll also sees the addition of two new teams, with Saint Louis and St. John’s joining the rankings at No. 23 and No. 25 respectively. As the article states, "Making its season debut in the poll is No. 23 Saint Louis, the first top-25 appearance for the Billikens since January of 2021." This is a significant achievement for both teams, who have been working hard to earn their place among the top teams in the country. On the other hand, Utah State and Iowa have dropped out of the rankings, making way for these new additions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the latest USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll has seen some significant changes, with Arizona solidifying its position at the top and Michigan moving up to No. 2. The rest of the top 10 has also seen some movement, with teams like Nebraska and Michigan State making gains. The addition of Saint Louis and St. John’s to the top 25 is also a notable development, and it will be interesting to see how these teams perform in the coming weeks. As the article notes, "The Cornhuskers, now at No. 7 and one of only three remaining teams yet to lose, continues to establish new all-time high rankings for the program." With the season heating up, it will be exciting to see how the rankings continue to shift and change in the weeks to come.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2026/01/19/college-basketball-poll-rankings-top-25-arizona/88243543007/
