Michigan’s men’s basketball team has made a remarkable mark this season, defeating three ranked opponents by at least 30 points—a feat not seen in nearly three decades. As of the latest Associated Press poll, the Wolverines are inching closer to the coveted No. 1 ranking.
In the most recent rankings, Arizona remains on top after maintaining an undefeated record, but Michigan is just a single point behind them in the polls. The Wolverines secured their latest victory with a commanding 30-point win over USC, advancing their record to an impressive 13-0. Alongside their triumphs over Auburn and Gonzaga, they are now the first college basketball team in 30 years to achieve three such decisive wins in a single season, and it’s only the beginning of January.
Overall, Michigan has displayed sheer dominance throughout the current season; out of 13 wins, 10 have come with margins of at least 20 points, and several exceeded 40 points. Meanwhile, the top six in the AP poll remained unchanged this week. Arizona improved to 14-0 by defeating Utah, while Iowa State holds steady at No. 3 after beating West Virginia. UConn, continuing their strong campaign, ranks fourth following a win against Marquette. Purdue and Duke complete the top six, with Duke claiming a victory over Florida State thanks to a standout performance from Isaiah Evans.
In this week’s poll, Iowa made significant strides, jumping six spots to No. 19 after winning against UCLA, marking their fourth consecutive victory. Although the Wolverines have only played three games in the Big Ten this season, they’ve established themselves as the frontrunners and have a favorable schedule ahead, not facing another ranked team until late January when they host Nebraska and then travel to rival Michigan State. Their schedule will toughen up as the season progresses, particularly with matchups against Purdue, Duke, Illinois, and Iowa later in February.
In another notable development, Nebraska basketball is rising to prominence. They made headlines by defeating Michigan State, marking their first home matchup against a ranked team in years. This triumph extends the Cornhuskers’ winning streak to 18, dating back to their last season’s success in the College Basketball Crown tournament—the longest current streak in the nation. The win skyrocketed Nebraska to the No. 10 spot in the AP poll, its highest ranking since 1966.
Despite the historical struggles of Nebraska basketball, which has never won an NCAA tournament game, the team is showcasing strong potential under head coach Fred Hoiberg. As they aim for a third consecutive season with over 20 wins, the program appears to be on a promising trajectory.
Looking forward, fans have a thrilling week of college basketball ahead, with several key matchups scheduled, including Michigan facing Wisconsin and Nebraska taking on Indiana. The excitement in college basketball continues to build as teams battle for position in the polls and strive for postseason glory.