The throne belongs to Duke Blue Devils once again.
After reclaiming the top spot last week, Duke held firm at No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the second straight week, marking the 149th time in program history the Blue Devils have been ranked atop the poll — the most all-time. At 27–2, Duke earned 55 first-place votes, reinforcing its position as one of the teams to beat as March rapidly approaches.
This isn’t a season-long reign — it’s a recent takeover. And it comes at a time when the national title race feels more wide open than ever.
Arizona and Michigan Are Right There
Right behind Duke sit two teams with identical records and championship ambitions: Arizona Wildcats and Michigan Wolverines.
Both teams are 27–2, and both look fully capable of taking the No. 1 spot with a strong finish. Arizona collected four first-place votes and continues to dominate with elite scoring efficiency, while Michigan’s balance and physical defense have made them one of the most complete teams in the country.
The gap between No. 1 and No. 3 is razor thin.
UConn and Florida Are Surging Into Contender Status
Few teams are playing better right now than UConn Huskies.
The Huskies climbed to No. 4, continuing their push toward a potential top seed. With championship pedigree and improving form, UConn is becoming one of the most dangerous teams in the country at the perfect time.
Florida Gators followed a similar path, rising to No. 5 after another strong week. Florida’s physical defense and confidence continue to grow, turning them into a legitimate threat heading into postseason play.
Biggest Climbers: Michigan State, Nebraska, and Texas Tech
Momentum is everything in March — and several teams are peaking.
Michigan State Spartans jumped to No. 8, climbing five spots after impressive performances. Their experience and toughness make them a team nobody wants to see.
Nebraska Cornhuskers rose to No. 9, continuing one of the best seasons in program history.
Meanwhile, Texas Tech Red Raiders cracked the Top 10 at No. 10 after one of the biggest wins of the week, signaling their arrival as a serious contender.
Purdue Headlines the Biggest Fall
While some teams climbed, others took major hits.
Purdue Boilermakers suffered the steepest drop, falling seven spots to No. 15 after a costly loss that raised concerns about their consistency.
Other notable drops included Gonzaga Bulldogs and St. John’s Red Storm, both sliding as the competition intensifies.
Miami (OH) Remains Perfect
One of the most fascinating stories in the country continues to be Miami RedHawks.
At 29–0, they remain the only undefeated team in Division I and climbed to No. 19. Whether they can carry that perfection into March remains one of the biggest questions in the sport.
The Bigger Picture
Duke may be back at No. 1, but nothing about this season feels settled.
Multiple teams have legitimate championship cases. Rankings are shifting weekly. And with conference tournaments looming, the fight for seeding — and momentum — is just beginning.
The Blue Devils have reclaimed the top spot.
Now comes the harder part: holding it when everything is on the line.
