The last few weeks of the 2025–26 college basketball season have started to separate real contenders from teams figuring things out.
At the top, Arizona has continued to look like one of the most complete teams in the country, stacking wins in different ways and surviving tough road tests. UConn has stayed right behind, leaning on physical defense and clutch offense, including a big win over a Top 10 opponent in BYU back early in November. Michigan has also impressed recently, winning close games with poise and executing well late, something that matters more in March than early-season firepower.
The Big Ten has been unpredictable, with Nebraska emerging as one of the league’s biggest stories. They’ve won multiple big games versus a lot of Big 10 opponents but also a tough team in Creighton; they are 20-0, and they have done this in large part because they control the glass late. Illinois has surged too, fueled by quick scoring runs and improved defensive focus. While some traditional powers like Purdue have shown flashes of excellence, they’ve also dropped tight contests. The depth of the conference has made every road game risky, and teams that can protect the ball and make free throws are the ones winning the close battles.
Freshmen have had a huge impact this season, and a couple of those performances have come from BYU and Houston. BYU’s AJ Dybantsa set a school freshman scoring record with 43 points in a big win over Utah, showing why he’s been talked about as one of the top young players in the country. Meanwhile, Houston’s Kingston Flemings exploded for 42 points in a tight game against Texas Tech, giving the Cougars a chance despite a narrow loss.
These kinds of standout nights, from both projected stars and veteran leaders, have injected excitement into the season and reshaped how we think about scoring and pace in college basketball. As February approaches, teams that balance star talent with team defense are the ones rising toward the top.
Here are my updated rankings:
- Arizona
- UConn
- Michigan
- Duke
- Nebraska
- Houston
- Gonzaga
- Iowa State
- Michigan State
- Illinois
- Purdue
- BYU
- Texas Tech
- North Carolina
- Virginia
- Kansas
- Vanderbilt
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Clemson
- Saint Louis
- Louisville
- Alabama
- Miami (OH)
- St. John’s