AP Top 25 basketball today: Arizona jumps to No. 1, Purdue slips, Gonzaga back in the top 10, and Big Ten women make history

The newest AP Top 25 polls dropped Monday, Dec. 8, reshaping both the men’s and women’s national pictures. Arizona climbed to No. 1 in the men’s poll on the strength of an unbeaten start and multiple ranked wins, while Iowa State surged into the top four after handing Purdue its first loss. On the women’s side, the Big Ten tied the all-time record with nine ranked teams, underscoring the league’s depth as conference play nears.

Men’s AP Top 25: a new No. 1 and a crowded chase pack

Top line (Week of Dec. 8):

• 1. Arizona — perfect record, decisive win over a ranked Auburn headlines the résumé.

• 2. Michigan — undefeated with first-place votes and a balanced offense/defense profile.

• 3. Duke — double-digit win totals and elite efficiency on both ends.

• 4. Iowa State — biggest mover inside the top five after an upset of the prior No. 1.

• 5. UConn — steady, veteran core keeps the Huskies anchored near the top.

• 6. Purdue — drops out of the top five but remains firmly in title contention.

Inside the top 10: Gonzaga climbs back into single digits at No. 8, and BYU lands in the top 10 as well after stacking quality wins. Two new faces crack the poll with Nebraska (No. 23) and Virginia (No. 24), while a blueblood slips out after a wobbly fortnight against top-half schedules.

Biggest risers and fallers

• Rising:

  • Iowa State — defense traveled in a signature road win; guard play trending up.

  • Gonzaga — frontcourt depth and shooting surge fuel the climb.

  • Arkansas — back on track with pace-and-space fixes and a healthier rotation.

• Sliding:

  • Purdue — turnover pockets and late-game possessions proved costly, though metrics still love the Boilers.

  • Tennessee/Louisville — uneven weeks against physical opponents trigger small dips.

Conference snapshot

• Big 12, Big Ten, SEC each place six teams in the men’s rankings, with the Big 12 packing the most punch near the top.

• ACC holds four ranked teams and a clear top-tier anchor.

• Big East keeps multiple contenders but shows early volatility in the middle.

• The WCC reasserts itself with Gonzaga’s return to the top 10.

What changed at the top?

Arizona’s rise reflects both results and composition: multiple ranked wins, a top-10 defense in late-clock situations, and an offense that punishes turnovers and long rebounds. Michigan’s case for No. 1 tightened—more first-place votes and an unbeaten card—but Arizona’s aggregate body of work nudged ahead this week. Duke’s nonconference resilience (including neutral-site success) keeps the Blue Devils glued to the top three.

Women’s AP Top 25: Big Ten ties record with nine ranked teams

The headline on the women’s side is structural: the Big Ten matches the AP poll record with nine ranked programs, a mark that speaks to both scheduling ambition and roster continuity. The league not only floods the back half of the poll but also places multiple teams in the top 10, creating a gauntlet once conference play begins.

At the summit: UConn remains No. 1, with Texas and South Carolina locked in as immediate chasers after statement wins over the weekend. Further down, Nebraska enters at No. 24, rounding out the Big Ten’s historic tally and giving the conference added bracket equity heading into January.

Why it matters: With so many ranked Big Ten teams, quality-win opportunities inside the league will be abundant—and so will landmines. Expect frequent poll churn as contenders trade road games in packed arenas.

Scheduling notes and what’s next

• Marquee men’s tests ahead: Arizona faces its toughest nonconference week yet; Michigan draws a ranked opponent with top-10 defensive numbers; Duke’s December closes with a neutral-site showcase. Iowa State will try to avoid the classic post-upset letdown against a physical rebounder.

• Women’s watchlist: Top-three heavyweights each have at least one road test where tempo control and foul discipline will be decisive. The Big Ten’s depth ensures at least one ranked-vs-ranked clash most nights this week.

• Computer vs. eye test: Efficiency models remain kinder to certain teams that slipped this week, hinting at rebound potential once shooting variance normalizes.

Takeaways for fans and bracket watchers

1. No runaway No. 1 on the men’s side. Arizona earned the pole, but the separation is razor-thin through about No. 6. One misstep can reshuffle the deck again next Monday.

2. Gonzaga’s trajectory is real. Improved spacing and bench production justify the return to the top 10.

3. League power centers are set. With the Big 12, Big Ten, and SEC flooding the poll, multi-bid paths are widening—particularly for middle-tier teams that steal a couple of ranked wins.

4. Women’s Big Ten depth changes seeding math. Nine ranked teams mean stacked quadrant opportunities; expect aggressive nonconference scheduling next year to keep pace with the analytics.

The first full December polls usually clarify who’s for real and who’s riding early-season sugar highs. This week did both: Arizona grabs the men’s spotlight for now, UConn keeps the women’s crown, and the Big Ten’s historic footprint on the women’s poll promises ranked matchups—and movement—almost nightly.