Michigan Basketball Ranked No 1 in AP Top 25 for First Time Since 2013 as Wolverines Prepare for Duke

Michigan is the new No.1 team in the Associated Press men’s college basketball poll, ending Arizona’s nine week run at the top and marking the program’s first No.1 ranking since January 2013.

The Wolverines improved to 24-1 and received 60 of 61 first place votes in the latest AP Top 25, climbing one spot after Arizona dropped games at Kansas and at home against Texas Tech. Houston moved to No 2 and collected the remaining first place vote, followed by Duke at No 3 and Arizona at No 4.

The breaking update reshapes the national title outlook as the regular season enters its final stretch. Michigan has ranked near the top of advanced analytics for weeks, sitting No.1 in multiple efficiency metrics prior to this poll shift. Under coach Dusty May, the Wolverines have paired disciplined half court defense with efficient perimeter scoring, key indicators historically associated with Final Four contenders.

Michigan’s 24-1 start is its best through 25 games since the 2012-13 season, when the program last reached No.1 and advanced to the national championship game. The current roster has demonstrated depth and balance, winning high leverage matchups in conference and nonconference play. The Wolverines have been ranked No.2 behind Arizona for six of the Wildcats’ nine weeks at the top before finally ascending.

The timing carries added significance. Michigan is set to face No.3 Duke in a marquee matchup in Washington on Saturday, while No.2 Houston hosts No.4 Arizona the same day. According to historical AP data, it will be just the fifth time two top four matchups occur on the same day, underscoring the latest timeline shift at the top of the sport.

Conference representation remains concentrated among power leagues. The Big Ten and Big 12 each have six ranked teams, combining for eight spots inside the top 10. UConn sits at No.5, followed by Iowa State, Purdue, Kansas, Nebraska and Illinois to round out the top 10. Purdue made the largest jump of the week, rising six spots to No.7 after consecutive road wins.

Further down the poll, Wisconsin reentered at No.24 following victories over Illinois and Michigan State, becoming one of the few programs with multiple top 10 wins this season. Alabama debuted at No.25. Louisville climbed three spots behind standout performances from freshman Mikel Brown, while Texas Tech rose to No.13 after its win at Arizona.

There were notable declines. Michigan State and North Carolina each fell five spots after road losses, and North Carolina announced that freshman Caleb Wilson is out indefinitely with a fractured bone in his left hand, an injury with potential NCAA Tournament implications. Clemson and Kentucky dropped out of the rankings.

What this means moving forward is clear. Michigan now carries the expectations that come with a No.1 ranking, including heightened national scrutiny and tournament seeding implications. Maintaining defensive efficiency and depth will be critical as the Wolverines navigate a closing schedule filled with ranked opponents.

The immediate next steps center on Saturday’s Michigan Duke matchup, which could influence both the AP poll and projected NCAA Tournament seeding. With Houston and Arizona also colliding, the national title picture may shift again within days, making this one of the most consequential weeks of the college basketball season.