The first two weeks of the college basketball season have already brought some early shake-ups, but one thing has remained steady: Duke has lived up to the hype. The Blue Devils have looked like one of the most complete teams in the country so far, and their early success sets the stage for how the rest of my rankings have shifted. Here’s a look at what’s driving Duke’s strong start and what other contenders are beginning to rise behind them.
Duke forward Cameron Boozer has settled into the college game fast, and his play early in the 2025–26 season has shown why he came in as one of the most hyped freshmen in the country. He’s scoring in multiple ways, using his strength to finish inside and using his touch to hit mid-range shots when defenses sag off.
What stands out most is his poise: he rarely forces looks, makes the extra pass and already rebounds like an experienced ACC forward. Even though the season is still in its beginning stages, Boozer has become Duke’s main tone-setter in the frontcourt, giving them a reliable option whenever they need a bucket or a physical presence.
A big part of that success comes from the perimeter play of Isiah Evans and Caleb Foster, who have both taken noticeable steps forward. Evans has emerged as one of Duke’s most dynamic scorers, using his length and smooth shooting stroke to stretch defenses and create matchup problems. His confidence attacking off the dribble has added another layer to Duke’s offense, making it harder for teams to load up on Boozer inside.
Meanwhile, Foster has become the steadying force in the backcourt, controlling tempo, making the right reads and knocking down shots whenever Duke is in need of one. Leadership and improved decision-making have kept Duke composed in tight stretches. Together, this trio is the core of Duke’s early-season success and has positioned the Blue Devils as one of the most balanced teams in the country.
But enough about the Blue Devils; let’s highlight some other teams who are looking to climb up the ladder in rankings at the top.
Purdue has proven me wrong and has started to climb up in my personal rankings. They are looking like the team to beat this year, and teams should have calendar dates circled for matchups against the Boilermakers.
What stands out most is their team balance. They defend, they rebound, and they get contributions from every single guy on the team, which is why they’ve started to separate themselves from other teams.
Meanwhile, my Houston Cougars have shown they’re still one of the toughest teams in the country. They’ve looked sharp on both ends, especially in their win over a ranked Auburn team. The Cougars are playing their trademark style of hard defense, fast pace, and execution in transition. They don’t need to score 90 to beat you; they just grind you down and control the tempo from start to finish.
Arizona has also made noise early, proving they belong with the nation’s best. They’re winning by bringing in a lot of energy and a defense that can create easy transition buckets. In big moments, they’ve stayed composed and executed when it matters, which is exactly what you want from a team looking to make some national noise. With Tommy Lloyd keeping the team steady, Arizona looks like a group that can keep climbing as the season goes on.