Purdue Returns to No. 1; Indiana Climbs Back into Ranking

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – After a strong 5-0 start, Indiana University has returned to the AP Top 25 rankings, marking a significant achievement in its basketball season. The Hoosiers celebrated this milestone after notable victories, including a win over Marquette.

Purdue University reclaimed the top spot in the Associated Press men’s basketball poll on Monday, earning 46 of 61 first-place votes following a decisive 30-point win over No. 20 Texas Tech. The Boilermakers, who opened the season as the No. 1 team, have now improved their record to 6-0, punctuating their success with key wins over Texas Tech and No. 8 Alabama.

Arizona climbed to No. 2 in the rankings after defeating UConn, receiving 11 first-place votes. Houston secured the No. 3 position with four first-place votes, while Duke and UConn rounded out the top five.

Michigan State was the standout in this week’s poll, rising from No. 17 to No. 11 after an impressive victory over No. 19 Kentucky. The Wildcats experienced the steepest drop, falling seven spots.

Wisconsin and Kansas fell out of the Top 25 after losses to BYU and Duke, respectively, while Vanderbilt and Indiana stepped in to take their places at No. 24 and No. 25.

The complete rankings reflected a competitive landscape, with Purdue, Houston, UConn, Arizona, and Duke securing the leading positions. Purdue’s coach, Matt Painter, expressed pride in his team’s performance and acknowledged the challenges faced after such significant wins.

As the season progresses, teams like Gonzaga and Arkansas are also noted, with Gonzaga looking to break into the upper ranks after significant victories. Meanwhile, Arkansas is set to face Duke in a highly anticipated matchup following a shaky start.