Key Highlights
- Purdue is projected to reclaim the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 college basketball poll.
- Houston may lose its No. 1 ranking despite remaining unbeaten, giving Purdue a bump back up one spot.
- The shakeup would be the third change at No. 1 in as many rankings updates including the preseason.
- UConn is expected to maintain its position at No. 3 while Duke and Arizona are projected to move into the top five.
The Shakeup of College Basketball Rankings: Purdue’s Ascendancy
The AP Top 25 college basketball poll is poised for a significant change, with Purdue University set to reclaim its No. 1 ranking from Houston in the upcoming rankings release on Monday, November 16, 2025.
Purdue’s Road to Reclaiming the Top Spot
According to Kyle Boone’s projection for the latest Tomorrow’s Top 25 Today feature, Purdue will leapfrog Houston after a statement road win over top-10 Alabama. The Boilermakers secured an impressive victory with an 87-80 triumph in Tuscaloosa on Thursday, November 15, 2025.
Implications for the No. 1 Ranking
Houston is expected to retain its undefeated record but may lose the top spot due to Purdue’s strong performance. This projection would mark a significant shift as it would be the second consecutive week that the No. 1 ranking changes, following the preseason.
Other Notable Movements in the Rankings
UConn is projected to stay at No. 3 with its narrow victory over Brigham Young University on Saturday, November 14, 2025. Duke and Arizona are anticipated to move into the top five positions.
Top Five Projections
The new top five in the AP Top 25 poll is expected to feature:
- Purdue (No. 1)
- Houston (No. 2)
- UConn (No. 3)
- Duke (No. 4)
- AZ (No. 5)
Other Teams in the Rankings
The full top 25 includes a mix of teams with varied performances. Michigan is expected to experience a slight drop due to its challenging schedule, while Iowa State aims for a top-10 entry after a strong start.
- Alabama (No. 8)
- St. John’s (No. 13)
- BYU (No. 14) despite its loss to UConn
- Kentucky (No. 9)
- Texas Tech (No. 16)
- Michigan State (No. 17)
- North Carolina (No. 18)
- UCLA (No. 15) after its loss to Arizona
- Tennessee (No. 20)
- Kansas (No. 25)
The latest projections indicate a dynamic landscape in the college basketball rankings, with several teams vying for higher positions based on their performances and upcoming challenges.
