Week 5 Men’s AP Top 25 Poll: Key Insights on Each Team
The fifth AP Top 25 poll for the 2025-26 men’s basketball season reveals significant shifts among ranked teams following an eventful week of league play. Notably, multiple top-10 teams suffered losses in nonconference home games, marking a rare occurrence last seen on December 6, 2017.
Current Rankings
The current top five teams feature:
- Arizona (No. 1) – Record: 8-0
- Michigan (No. 2) – Record: 8-0
- Duke (No. 3) – Record: 10-0
- Iowa State (No. 4) – Record: 9-0
- UConn (No. 5) – Record: 8-1
Key Insights by Team
Arizona (1)
Arizona continues to impress, defeating Auburn by 29 points. This win marks the Wildcats’ largest victory over an AP Top 25 team since 2002. They remain undefeated when leading by 20 or more points.
Michigan (2)
Michigan has outscored its last four opponents significantly, including teams that reached the Final Four recently. Their scoring differential is the largest seen since 2015-16.
Duke (3)
Duke boasts four victories against ranked opponents, tying its record for success against AP-ranked teams within the first ten games of the season.
Iowa State (4)
Iowa State’s recent victory against Purdue allows them to make history with consecutive wins against the AP No. 1 team. They are one of few teams to achieve multiple 20-point wins against No. 1-ranked opponents.
UConn (5)
UConn has secured 35 consecutive home victories against unranked non-conference opponents, the second-longest streak in the Big East.
Movers and Shakers
The rankings saw significant movement this week:
- Arkansas: Jumped eight spots
- Iowa State: Up six spots
- Gonzaga: Gained three spots
- Texas Tech: Also up three spots
Conversely, teams such as Tennessee, Louisville, and Purdue experienced notable drops. Kentucky, Indiana, and USC fell out of the rankings, replaced by Nebraska, Virginia, and UCLA.
Upcoming Matchups
- Arizona vs. Alabama – Saturday, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Michigan vs. Villanova – Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. ET, FS1
- Duke vs. Lipscomb – Tuesday, 6 p.m. ET, ACC Network
- Iowa State vs. Iowa – Thursday, 8 p.m. ET, FS1
- UConn vs. Florida – Tuesday, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
As the season progresses, the dynamics within the AP Top 25 continue to evolve. Fans and teams alike eagerly anticipate upcoming games that could further shake up the rankings.
