2025-26 College Basketball Power Rankings: Arizona, Top 25 & Rising Freshman Stars

As the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season hits the midway point, conference play is intensifying, and the path to March Madness is taking shape. With powerhouse programs like Arizona remaining unbeaten and freshmen sensations dominating headlines, this campaign is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years. We’re breaking down the latest AP Top 25 poll (released January 19, 2026), our midseason power rankings for the top 10, spotlights on undefeated teams, standout freshmen classes, breakout players with March implications, and a printable Top 25 tracker to help you follow the action.

Whether you’re eyeing early bracket predictions or tracking your favorite team’s schedule (like our popular Printable 2025-26 Duke Basketball Schedule or UConn), we’ve got the insights to keep you ahead.

Latest AP Top 25 Poll (January 19, 2026)

Arizona earned its first-ever unanimous No. 1 ranking, receiving all 61 first-place votes after a dominant week in the AP Poll. Three teams remain undefeated: Arizona (18-0), Nebraska (18-0), and Miami (Ohio) (19-0), with the latter cracking the poll for the first time in 27 years. Notable risers include Clemson (up 4 spots) and Texas Tech/Florida (up 3 each), while Iowa State tumbled 7 spots after consecutive losses. North Carolina fell the farthest (down 8). New entries: Kansas, Saint Louis, and Miami (Ohio); dropouts: Tennessee, Utah State, Seton Hall. You can checkout the upcoming conference tournament schedules as we post them too (they come before you know it).

Here’s the full poll with records:

Men’s College Basketball Midseason Power Rankings: Top 10 Teams

While the AP poll provides a snapshot, our power rankings factor in strength of schedule, recent form, and tournament potential. Arizona’s minimal time trailed in games (just 11:57 in conference play) and Gonzaga’s 11 wins by 20+ points highlight their dominance. Here’s the men’s college basketball midseason power rankings for you.

1. Arizona (18-0): Unbeaten and unanimous No. 1—minimal turnovers and elite defense make them Finals favorites.
2. UConn (18-1): Defending champs with nine straight wins; balanced attack positions them for a three-peat bid.
3. Michigan (16-1): Undefeated on the road/neutral (one of six such teams); nine-game streak away from home.
4. Purdue (17-1): 17 straight wins vs. unranked foes; Zach Edey’s successor thriving in the post.
5. Duke (17-1): Freshman-led surge; Cameron Boozer’s 30-point double-doubles evoke Zion Williamson.
6. Houston (17-1): Defensive juggernaut; Kingston Flemings adding playmaking depth.
7. Nebraska (18-0): Undefeated surprise; efficient offense and tough Big Ten slate ahead.
8. Gonzaga (19-1): Tied for most 20+ point wins (11); veteran core eyeing deep March run.
9. Iowa State (16-2): Historic Big 12 start derailed by losses; still a high-seed threat.
10. Michigan State (16-2): Tom Izzo’s squad grinding wins; defensive identity intact.

Spotlight on Undefeated Teams

Only three unbeatens remain:

• Arizona (18-0): Brayden Burries and a stifling D have them atop every metric.
• Nebraska (18-0): Overachieving in the Big Ten; sustainable?
• Miami (Ohio) (19-0): Mid-major darling; first ranking since 1999 signals Cinderella potential.

Strong Freshmen Classes & Breakout Players

The 2025 recruiting class is historic, with freshmen like Cameron Boozer (Duke: 23.3 PPG, 9.7 RPG) and AJ Dybantsa (BYU: 23.1 PPG, 7.2 RPG) ranking 1-2 in national scoring. Darryn Peterson (Kansas: high-efficiency guard) and Caleb Wilson (North Carolina: versatile forward) are impacting blue-bloods, while Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas) and Kingston Flemings (Houston) shine in the SEC/Big 12.

Breakout non-freshmen include:

• Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt, Soph.): Leap to stardom with mid-range mastery.
• JT Toppin (Texas Tech): Seven-game double-double streak; longest in D-I.
• Keaton Wagler (Illinois, Fr.): Outperforming hype with all-around play.
• Christian Anderson (Texas Tech, Soph.): Improved 3PT shooting and on-ball creation.

These players could swing March outcomes: Boozer’s efficiency (37% 3PT) makes Duke a title threat, while Dybantsa’s records at BYU boost their bracket stock.

Early March Madness Implications

With Selection Sunday on March 15, 2026, Arizona and UConn project as No. 1 seeds. Bubble watch: Falling teams like North Carolina need wins; surprises like Miami (Ohio) could steal bids. For full dates and locations, see our 2026 March Madness Schedule: Dates, Locations, TV, Printable Bracket & Key Info.

Ready for bracket season? Download our Printable Blank 2026 March Madness Bracket: Free Fillable NCAA Tournament Template, Pool Rules & Early Favorites or the Printable 2026 March Madness Bracket: Download Your Free NCAA Tournament Template.

Printable Top 25 Tracker

Track the rankings week-by-week with this printable table. Print it out, note upcoming games, and mark changes, perfect for following the race to March! You can download the grid in PDF format here to print and use.

Download as PDF for easy printing. Who’s your midseason surprise? Stay tuned for updates as we head toward tournament time!

Will Lewis has covered sports for over 18 years, specializing in bracketology, tournament predictions, and in-depth analysis across college hoops, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and more. March Madness is his favorite season, fueling his quest for perfect brackets before diving into pro playoffs. A lifelong Kentucky Wildcats fan, Bengals supporter since the Joe Montana era, and now a Padres devotee, Will delivers reliable, fan-first insights at Sports Brackets. Connect on X or comment. He loves talking brackets and more.