The Associated Press has officially ranked the Arizona Wildcats as the No. 13 men’s college basketball team in the nation for the upcoming 2025-26 season. This recognition comes as the Wildcats prepare for a transition period following the departure of key players, including leading scorer Caleb Love and lottery pick Carter Bryant, both of whom have moved on to the NBA.
To fill the gaps left by these stars, Arizona will welcome five-star freshmen Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, who are expected to step into significant roles. Fortunately for the Wildcats, they will also retain some experienced talent, including point guard Jaden Bradley and centers Tobe Awaka and Motiejus Krivas, contributing to a promising roster for the upcoming campaign.
In the same preseason poll, the Purdue Boilermakers have claimed the No. 1 spot for the first time. Purdue received 35 out of 61 first-place votes, positioning them at the top as the season kicks off. Head coach Matt Painter expressed excitement about the ranking, noting the team’s aspiration to maintain that high standing through the season and ultimately achieve success come April.
Purdue’s rise to the top is a significant development in their program history, particularly under Painter, who marks his 21st season with the team. Previously, the Boilermakers have never held the No. 1 rank in an AP poll until the 2021-22 season, which began a trend of sustained excellence. Last season, the Boilermakers reached the Sweet 16 before being narrowly defeated by Houston.
The preseason AP Top 25 rankings reveal a strong presence from various conferences, with the Southeastern Conference, Big Ten, and Big 12 each boasting six teams in the rankings, comprising 72% of the field. The Atlantic Coast Conference and Big East each have three representatives, while the West Coast Conference features one ranked team, No. 21 Gonzaga.
With the college basketball season fast approaching, fans can look forward to an exciting landscape full of fresh talent and competitive teams aiming for national glory.