February 23, 2026, 12:35 p.m. ET
The USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll has seen another shake-up at the top following a thrilling week of high-stakes games. Duke University has reclaimed its status as the No. 1 team, securing 27 out of 31 first-place votes after a pivotal victory over the previous No. 1 team, Michigan. This marks the Blue Devils’ first No. 1 ranking of the current season, reinforcing their reputation as a powerhouse in college basketball.
Arizona took the remaining four first-place votes and rose to the No. 2 spot after defeating Houston. Michigan has fallen to No. 3, while Houston slipped two positions to No. 4. Meanwhile, Iowa State has moved up to No. 5 after swapping places with Connecticut.
The rankings have also seen Florida gaining momentum as they climbed four spots to No. 7, showing improvement after a challenging non-conference start. The Gators are finding their rhythm just in time to defend their NCAA title. Purdue, Gonzaga, and Nebraska round out the top 10 teams in the poll.
Additionally, there are new entries in this week’s rankings with SEC teams Alabama at No. 18 and Tennessee at No. 22 rejoining the poll. Conversely, Clemson and Wisconsin have dropped out of the rankings, highlighting the volatility of the season as teams jostle for position in preparation for the NCAA tournament.
With the season progressing, fans can expect more exciting matchups and potential surprises as teams push for dominance on the court.