Arizona Wildcats Soar to No. 2 in Latest AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll

The Arizona Wildcats are the biggest story in college basketball this week. They jumped two spots to claim the No. 2 ranking in the latest AP Top 25 poll. This dramatic rise comes after a massive road win over the then-No. 3 UConn Huskies. The victory reshuffled the national hierarchy just weeks into the season.

Purdue remains the nation’s top team, holding firm at No. 1 with a commanding number of first-place votes. Meanwhile, Alabama made its own statement, surging into the top ten. According to the Associated Press, the poll reflects a week of significant upsets and statement wins that have set the stage for an intense season.

Week 3 Poll Delivers Major Shakeup

The Arizona Wildcats’ 71-67 victory in Connecticut was the catalyst for change. That win gave them a perfect 5-0 record and three victories over potential tournament teams. The performance earned them 11 first-place votes from the national media panel.

Purdue, now 6-0, was not displaced. The Boilermakers secured 46 of 61 first-place votes. They dominated their competition at the Baha Mar Championship. Their consistency kept them atop the mountain for another week.

Alabama’s impressive win over Illinois propelled the Crimson Tide to No. 8. They climbed three spots in the new rankings. This marks a powerful rebound for Nate Oats’ squad after an early-season stumble.

What the New Rankings Mean for the Season

Arizona’s ascent signals they are a legitimate national title contender. Their early-season schedule was brutal, and they emerged unscathed. This builds a formidable tournament résumé before conference play even begins.

The shuffle also shows the volatility at the top. Houston, last week’s No. 1, fell to No. 3 after Arizona’s leap. Duke holds steady at No. 4, while UConn rounds out the top five despite the loss.

Teams like Kansas and Wisconsin fell out of the rankings entirely. Their early struggles opened the door for new faces. Vanderbilt and Indiana entered the poll, highlighting the constant movement in college basketball.

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Why did Arizona jump to No. 2?

Arizona earned the jump by defeating a top-three UConn team on the road. Beating such a highly-ranked opponent on their home court is a rare feat. The win proved their elite status to AP voters.

Is Purdue still the unanimous No. 1?

No, Purdue is not unanimous. They received 46 of 61 first-place votes. Arizona earned 11 votes, and Houston received the remaining 4. This shows a growing debate about the top spot.

Which team fell out of the rankings completely?

The Kansas Jayhawks fell out of the AP Top 25 this week. This is a rare occurrence for the historic program. Wisconsin also dropped out after receiving votes last week.

What is the biggest game coming up for Arizona?

Arizona faces a tough test against Alabama on December 20th. It will be a top-ten showdown with major ranking implications. Their matchup with Auburn before that is also critical.

How often is the AP Poll updated?

The AP Top 25 poll is updated and released every Monday during the season. A panel of sportswriters and broadcasters from across the country votes on the rankings. The poll is a key benchmark for team performance.