For the first time in over a year, there’s a new No. 1 in men’s college basketball. Since February of 2020, Gonzaga has reigned as the top rank in all of college hoops. However, after an aggressive battle of blue bloods, Duke took over the top spot after beating the Bulldogs last week. It’s the first time since 2019 the Blue Devils have been ranked No. 1 in the poll. With a 7-0 start to the season, the program is off to a strong start, bouncing back from an underwhelming 2020-21 campaign.
Behind Duke sits No. 2 Purdue, who earned nine first-place votes and moved up from No. 3 last week. It is the Boilermakers’ highest ranking since last reaching No. 2 late in the 1987-88 season. Gonzaga fell to third, while Baylor and UCLA round out the top 5.
It’s only been three weeks into the season and these games are heating up already. With several unexpected upsets, thrilling endings, and buzzer beaters, there’s been a lot of movement in the top 25 rankings. Here’s a look at the changes.
Florida jumped nine spots to No. 14 after beating California, Ohio State and Troy.
No. 11 Arizona and No. 12 BYU each rose six spots.
No. 16 Alabama fell six spots after a tough loss to Iona.
Iowa State’s poll debut at No. 19 after several dominating performances to begin the season.
No. 22 Michigan State joined the poll after beating UConn on the way to the Battle 4 Atlantis championship game
Wisconsin jumped in at No. 23 after beating ranked Houston and Saint Mary’s to win the Maui Invitational in Las Vegas.
Illinois (No. 14), St. Bonaventure (No. 16) and Xavier (No. 25) fell out of the rankings.
| 1. Duke (51) | 7-0 |
| 2. Purdue (9) | 6-0 |
| 3. Gonzaga (1) | 6-1 |
| 4. Baylor | 7-0 |
| 5. UCLA | 6-1 |
| 6. Villanova | 4-2 |
| 7. Texas | 4-1 |
| 8. Kansas | 5-1 |
| 9. Kentucky | 5-1 |
| 10. Arkansas | 6-0 |
| 11. Arizona | 6-0 |
| 12. BYU | 6-0 |
| 13. Tennessee | 4-1 |
| 14. Florida | 6-0 |
| 15. Houston | 5-1 |
| 16. Alabama | 6-1 |
| 17. UConn | 6-1 |
| 18. Memphis | 5-1 |
| 19. Iowa State | 6-0 |
| 20. USC | 6-0 |
| 21. Auburn | 5-1 |
| 22. Michigan State | 5-2 |
| 23. Wisconsin | 5-1 |
| 24. Michigan | 4-2 |
| 25. Seton Hall | 5-1 |
Others receiving votes: Illinois 111, St. Bonaventure 106, LSU 93, Ohio State 75, Indiana 63, Colorado State 59, Xavier 46, Texas Tech 34, Marquette 23, North Carolina 9, Iowa 9, San Francisco 7, Loyola Chicago 3, Virginia Tech 3, Louisville 2, Wake Forest 2, Ohio 1, Iona 1.
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