Duke remains the top-ranked team in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll for the second consecutive week, extending its record to 149 total weeks in the No. 1 spot.
The Blue Devils (27-2) received 55 of 59 first-place votes after winning decisively against Notre Dame and then-No. 11 Virginia last week. Duke has been defensively strong since a Feb. 7 loss to North Carolina, holding its last six opponents to an average of 57 points per game.
No. 2 Arizona also received first-place votes—four in total—following its win over No. 14 Kansas, which secured a share of the Big 12 regular-season title. Michigan, UConn, and Florida round out the top five.
Several teams saw significant movement in the rankings this week. Texas Tech climbed six places to No. 10, while Michigan State moved up five spots to No. 8. Miami (Ohio), currently undefeated, rose two positions to No. 19, its highest ranking since the 1952-53 season.
On the other finish of the spectrum, Purdue experienced the largest drop, falling seven places to No. 15 after losses to Michigan State and Ohio State. Gonzaga also fell, dropping three places to No. 12 following a loss to Saint Mary’s.
Saint Mary’s entered the AP Top 25 at No. 21 after defeating Gonzaga and earning a share of the West Coast Conference regular-season title. Miami is also ranked again, at No. 22, for the first time since 2023. However, BYU and Louisville both dropped out of the poll. BYU fell out after three losses in four games following a season-ending injury to guard Richie Saunders, and Louisville’s losses to North Carolina and Clemson led to its departure.
The Big 12, Big Ten, and Southeastern conferences are tied for the most ranked teams with five each, following BYU’s departure from the poll. The ACC has four ranked teams, while the Big East and West Coast conferences each have two. The Mid-American and Atlantic 10 conferences each have one ranked team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Duke’s record?
Duke’s current record is 27-2.
Which teams dropped out of the AP Top 25 this week?
BYU and Louisville dropped out of the AP Top 25 this week.
Which conference has the most ranked teams?
The Big 12, Big Ten, and Southeastern conferences are tied with five ranked teams each.
As teams head into conference tournaments, how will these rankings influence seeding and potential matchups?
