The men’s college basketball season is now into the 2026 portion of the schedule, and the top programs around the […]
The men’s college basketball season is now into the 2026 portion of the schedule, and the top programs around the country are showing what makes them better than the rest. So who are the best of the best in the sport right now?
We look to answer that question with our updated men’s college basketball rankings, showcasing the top 25 teams as of Jan. 9, 2026.
25. UCF (UR)
After some solid results the last few years, UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins has a team that can get the program back to the tournament for the first time in seven years. A major reason why they have begun the year with a 12-2 record is the impact of transfers Themus Fulks and Riley Kugel.
The duo is combining for nearly 30 points, 6 boards, and 9 assists a night. Although their recent loss to Oklahoma State was a frustrating setback, their recent win over Kansas is why they land in our latest college basketball rankings.
24. Kansas (LW: 17)
After a disappointing 21-13 result and a first-round ouster in the tournament last year, Bill Self and Kansas are hoping things can get better in 2026. But after three early-season losses to top-25 teams, North Carolina, Duke, and UConn, there is understandable concern about this year’s team.
However, sophomore Flory Bidunga (14.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game) and freshman Darryn Peterson (22.5 PPG) give the Jayhawks a dynamic duo that is a problem for any team.
23. Tennessee (LW: 19)
Tennessee freshman Nate Ament is proving why he is a top prospect for the 2026 NBA Draft. He is second on the team in points (14.7) and leads in rebounds (6.5) per game. The combo of him and senior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie is why the Vols kicked off the season by winning their first seven games.
However, they fell into a deep slump recently and lost three straight, including to Illinois. While they got back in the win column against Louisville, a recent setback to Arkansas continued their inconsistent run.
22. SMU (UR)
Year one for SMU head coach Andy Enfield was very productive as they finished 24-11. They have continued that momentum in 2025-26 and are primed to get back to the tournament for the first time in a decade after their 12-3 start in the ACC.
The team is led by stud senior guards Jaron Pierre, Jr., and Boopie Miller. The duo is averaging close to 40 points combined a night, with Miller adding 7.1 assists and 2.0 steals a night. While they recently scored a big win over North Carolina, their recent loss to Clemson is why they land near the back of the top 25 this week.
21. Iowa (UR)
Under new head coach Ben McCollum, Iowa is showing the upside it has badly lacked the last few seasons. A major reason why they have begun the season 12-3 is what Drake transfer Bennett Stirtz has brought to the Hawkeyes’ offense in 2026.
The senior leads the team in scoring (18.0), assists (5.0), and steals (1.7). However, the program’s outstanding defense, which is giving up just 60.8 PPG (fourth best in the nation) is why they land in our latest college basketball rankings.
20. Louisville (LW: 11)
Louisville owns a rock-solid 11-4 record due to the strong play of its trio of talented guards. Mikel Brown Jr. is getting a lot of buzz about being a top 10 pick in next year’s NBA Draft, senior Ryan Conwell has been just as good, and Cardinals veteran Isaac McKneely is as reliable as ever.
Because of the trio, they are a problem to defend each night (89.2 PPG), and it showed in wins over Kentucky and Indiana. However, losing three of their last five, including to Stanford, is why they have plummeted in our latest college basketball rankings.
19. Virginia (LW: 21)
Head coach Ryan Odom had a rough start in his first year overseeing Virginia. However, year two has gotten off to an impressive 13-2 start, thanks to the strong play of Belgian big man Thijs de Ridder.
The freshman forward is posting 16.1 points and 6.9 rebounds, while shooting 40.4% from three and 54.3% from the floor in his debut season. This rock-solid group is one to watch in the ACC this season.
18. Georgia (LW: 24)
Since arriving in 2022, coach Michael White has helped return Georgia’s basketball program to a force again in the SEC, and the Bulldogs have had an impressive 13-2 start to the 2025-26 campaign. The team has gotten outstanding play from the backcourt duo of Jeremiah Wilkinson (17.2 points) and Blue Cain (15.1 points).
The pair is a major reason why Georgia heads into the weekend leading the nation in scoring (97.9 PPG) and is worthy of a spot in our latest college basketball rankings.
17. Arkansas (LW: 14)
Arkansas is going with a pair of freshmen in the backcourt in 2025-26, and so far, the duo of Meleek Thomas and Darius Acuff Jr. has been pretty good, as they account for over 35 points a night for the Razorbacks.
In year two with legendary head coach John Calipari, Arkansas is a team to keep an eye on. While they came up short against top schools Duke and Houston, they still have wins over three ranked teams, including an underrated Texas Tech squad.
16. Alabama (LW: 16)
Alabama set up a tough schedule for itself to begin the season, playing games against four straight ranked teams. They split the quartet of matchups and showed early that while they may not be a dominant force, they are a legit top 25 team in 2026.
The Crimson Tide has a top 10 offense (93.9 PPG) led by NBA lottery prospect Labaron Philon Jr., who leads the team in scoring with 21.3 PPG. After winning four straight, including against Kentucky, their recent loss to Vanderbilt showed they still aren’t ready to be a top 10 team in the nation yet.
15. North Carolina (LW: 13)
Hubert Davis’ North Carolina team is off to a strong start due to the strong play of future lottery pick and freshman Caleb Wilson. The Atlanta native leads the Tar Heels in points (19.3), rebounds (10.9), and steals (1.4). However, he is also getting big support from veterans Henri Veesaar and Seth Trimble.
While Michigan State blew them out in November, wins over Kansas and Kentucky are why they are among the top 25 again this week.
14. Illinois (LW: 18)
Brad Underwood has turned Illinois into a top program in the Big Ten since arriving in 2020, and nothing’s changed this year. Cal transfer Andrej Stojakovic has immediately become one of the team’s top scorers. However, senior Kylan Boswell and freshman backcourt mate Keaton Wagler are a formidable duo.
The pair of guards is posting close to 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists a night for the 12-3 Fighting Illini.
13. Texas Tech (LW: 20)
Texas Tech has progressed during Grant McCasland’s first two seasons overseeing the Red Raiders program. If the impressive scoring duo of JT Toppin and Christian Anderson can continue to play like they already have — they are posting 40 points a night — Tech can be a tough out all year in the Big 12.
They have a lot to prove nationally, after losing to four ranked teams, including by 30 to Purdue. However, their huge upset win over Duke proves the Red Raiders have serious potential in 2026.
12. Michigan State (LW: 9)
Legendary coach Tom Izzo has another very good Michigan State team on his hands in 2026. While they can score buckets, the Spartans have proven to be a handful for opponents because of a sound defense that is giving up 64.5 PPG.
There is no better proof of their potential than owning victories over three ranked teams, including North Carolina, this season. However, their setbacks against Duke and Nebraska show they have a ceiling right now.
11. Vanderbilt (LW: 12)
Vanderbilt’s backcourt duo of Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles leads a Commodores offense that is scoring 93.6 PPG, which is eighth best in the nation. It’s why the team is off to the best start in program history at 15-0.
For much of the season, they lacked a marquee victory over a ranked team to prove they are one of the best in the nation. However, they got that this week when they scored a big home win over Alabama.
10. Nebraska (LW: 15)
Fred Hoiberg has his best team yet at Nebraska. The school heads into the weekend with a 15-0 record and is led by former Bradley recruit Rienk Mast. The Dutch senior is leading his team in points (16.3 PG) and rebounds (6.6) and is also chipping in with 3.0 assists a night.
For much of the season, experts knew they were good, but they lacked undeniable evidence. However, they have gotten it in recent weeks when the Cornhuskers scored big wins over Illinois, and most recently, Michigan State.
9. BYU (LW: 10)
BYU is a dark-horse title contender in 2026 because of future NBA lottery pick AJ Dybantsa (23.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists a night). However, the Cougars also have a very good backcourt combination in Richie Saunders and Robert Wright III, who are averaging close to 40 points a game.
Although they suffered an early-season loss to UConn, the Cougars bounced back by running off 11 straight wins.
8. Houston (LW: 7)
Kelvin Sampson’s Houston squad is again among the top teams in the nation. Senior Emmanuel Sharp has been as important as ever. However, if they make another deep run in March, it will be because of freshmen Kingston Flemings and Chris Cenac Jr.
A huge part of their success and a 14-1 record heading into the weekend is a defense that is giving up the third fewest points in the nation (60.3 PPG).
7. Purdue (LW: 8)
Purdue was once the No. 1 team in the nation because they have something most top 25 teams lack: Top players with a boatload of experience. Seniors Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kaufman-Renn are starring for the Boilermakers in 2025-26 and are combining for close to 30 points a night.
The duo and the rest of the team’s ability to use their veteran savvy was helpful in big early-season wins over ranked squads Alabama and Texas Tech. However, their blowout loss to Iowa State shows that experience can be superseded by undeniable talent.
6. Gonzaga (LW: 6)
Mark Few’s Gonzaga squad is off to an impressive 17-1 start because of what their veteran front court of Braden Huff and Graham Ike gives them each night. The duo is posting close to 40 points and 15 boards a game for the Bulldogs.
Their 40-point loss to Michigan made many question how good this team could be. However, bounce-back wins over Kentucky and UCLA were the third and fourth over-ranked competition this season. If you doubted Gonzaga before, you shouldn’t anymore.
5. Duke (LW: 2)
Duke is off to a vintage Blue Devils start because of the outstanding play of super prospect Cameron Boozer. The freshman, who had to step in for another super prospect, Cooper Flagg, leads the team in points (23.3), rebounds (9.7), assists (4.2), and steals (1.9).
Beyond the superb play of Boozer, Duke is also getting important minutes from sophomores Isaiah Evans and Patrick Ngongba. They are part of why Duke has wins over five top 25 teams, including Michigan State and Louisville.
4. UConn (LW: 4)
What a surprise. It’s another season in college basketball, and UConn is among the elite teams in the nation. While they took a bit of a step back last season, they are primed for another deep run in March.
Senior big man Taris Reed Jr. has been great(14.5 points and 7.7 rebounds), as well as junior guard Solo Ball. With highly touted recruit Braylon Mullins in the fold, the Huskies have four players posting 11 or more points a night. While they can score, it is their top-10-level defense that has them in the top five.
3. Iowa State (LW: 5)
In his final season at Iowa State, Joshua Jefferson is getting the attention of NBA Draft evaluators. The Las Vegas native is first on the team in points (17.6), rebounds (7.9), and second in assists (5.2). Furthermore, the Cyclones have gotten very good play from fellow senior Tamin Lipsey and forward Milan Momcilovic.
It’s why they have gotten off to a fantastic 15-0 start to their campaign, own a destructive victory over former No. 1 Purdue, and are closing in on the top spot in the latest top 25.
2. Michigan (LW: 3)
After 14 games, Michigan is showing that head coach Dusty May has an offensive juggernaut on his hands in his second season overseeing the program. While former UAB star Yaxel Lendeborg is getting a lot of attention for being the tip of their scoring spear, the Wolverines’ front line, in general, is arguably the best in the nation.
It’s a major reason why they are the top team in various men’s college basketball rankings. There is no better proof of their huge potential than a pair of dominant wins this year over USC and Gonzaga.
1. Arizona (LW: 1)
Arizona has been outstanding over the first couple of months of the 2025-26 season and looks primed for a deep run in March. Led by star senior Jaden Bradley and big-time NBA prospect Koat Peat, the Wildcats have already posted wins over five top 25 teams, including UCLA and UConn.
They have four players averaging 11 or more points a game, and it’s why they are among the best scoring teams in the nation heading into the weekend.
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