College Basketball Rankings January 2026: AP Top 25 Update (Arizona No. 1, Michigan No. 2), Key Games This Week & Printable Schedules

Arizona Narrowly Edges Michigan For No. 1 In AP Top 25 As 2026 Season Intensifies

In the frist AP Top 25 reveal of 2026, the nation’s best teams traded a razor-thin lead at the summit.Arizona clung to the No. 1 slot by a single point,finishing with 1,494 points to Michigan’s 1,493. Arizona claimed 32 first‑place votes to michigan’s 29 as the two undefeated powers head into a demanding January stretch.

michigan’s banner season has drawn fresh attention after becoming the first program in the ranking and polling era to beat three straight ranked opponents by at least 30 points. The Wolverines’ midseason surge has analysts rethinking the balance of power in men’s college basketball, even as Arizona maintains a strong six‑game advantage in wins against ranked foes this season.

Nebraska broke into the top 10 for the first time since 1966, underscoring a shifting landscape this winter. Newcomers SMU and UCF joined the rankings at Nos. 24 and 25 after notable upsets.

AP Top 25 Snapshot (Jan. 5, 2026)

Here is the latest AP Top 25 lineup, reflecting the January 5 rankings and the early season momentum across the sport. For the full ranking page, readers can consult high‑profile outlets that provide continued weekly updates.

Rank	Team	Record	Points	Previous
1	Arizona	14-0	1,494	1
2	Michigan	13-0	1,493	2
3	Iowa state	14-0	1,390	3
4	UConn	14-1	1,343	4
5	Purdue	13-1	1,254	5
6	Duke	13-1	1,206	6
7	Houston	13-1	1,158	8
8	Gonzaga	16-1	1,101	7
9	BYU	14-1	1,013	10
10	Nebraska	14-0	965	13

What It Means For The Week Ahead

The top two teams sit on a collision course as conference play intensifies. Arizona continues to showcase a resume built on multiple ranked wins, while Michigan’s efficiency and early-season dominance are turning heads across the sport. Nebraska’s break into the top tier signals a new season narrative in the Big Ten,with the Huskers looking to sustain momentum through tough league play.

Recent Results That Shaped The Week

• duke defeated Louisville to reinforce its top‑10 status
• Texas Tech edged Houston in a key Big 12 showdown
• Arizona overwhelmed Kansas State to solidify No. 1 status
• Iowa State secured a road win at Baylor
• UConn prevailed in overtime against Providence
• BYU toppled Arizona State
• Purdue defeated Washington
• Clemson upset SMU in a notable upset

upcoming Highlights (Jan. 8–11)

• Thu, Jan. 8: Northwestern at no. 12 Michigan State
• Thu, Jan. 8: Rutgers at No. 16 Illinois
• Thu, Jan. 8: Santa Clara at No. 8 Gonzaga
• Sat, Jan. 10: No. 21 Tennessee at Florida
• Sat, Jan. 10: No. 24 SMU at No. 6 Duke
• sat,Jan. 10: No. 17 north Carolina at wake Forest
• Sun,Jan. 11: No. 19 Iowa at No. 16 Illinois

ESPN platforms will showcase 16 Top 25 teams this week, highlighting standout freshmen and heated conference battles.

Printable Schedules & Brackets

Follow your teams with free printable 2025–26 schedules (PDFs with TV times when available) on the college basketball hub. As March Madness draws near, stay tuned to leading outlets for weekly ranking updates and printable NCAA Tournament brackets.

Note: Details reflect the January 5–8 window and are subject to updates. Check back for midweek changes.

Why These Shifts Matter — Evergreen Insights

Rankings influence seeding, national perception, and access to marquee games in late-season play. A one-point gap at the top underscores how tightly contested the sport has become this season, with every win carrying outsized weight. Michigan’s ability to dispatch ranked opponents by large margins adds a new layer to debates about strength of schedule and predictive metrics. Nebraska’s ascent demonstrates that midseason surges can redefine traditional power dynamics, while fresh faces in SMU and UCF remind fans that the landscape remains in flux well into January and beyond.

For ongoing context, monitor how teams perform in coming weeks against fellow Top 25 opponents and how conferences balance wins with losses. Analysts will weigh margin of victory, quality of wins, and road performance as indicators of staying power into February and March.

Two Questions For Readers

Which team do you beleive will challenge for the No. 1 spot in the coming weeks, and why?

Of the newcomers, SMU or UCF, which program has the brighter trajectory and what matchup could seal that view?

Share your thoughts below and join the conversation about the evolving battle for college basketball supremacy.

For extended analysis and live rankings, follow trusted outlets covering college basketball, including official conference sites and national outlets providing weekly HEAT maps and power rankings.

Engage with us: who shoudl be considered the season’s breakthrough team, and what matchup has you most excited this week?

stay connected and keep the conversation going—your take could spark a broader discussion about the path to the NCAA Tournament.

Ohio State, Indiana, and a road victory at Minnesota).

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College Basketball Rankings January 2026: AP Top 25 Update (Arizona #1, Michigan #2)

AP Top 25 Snapshot – Jan 5, 2026

• #1 Arizona Wildcats – 1,565 points, 29 first‑place votes
• #2 Michigan Wolverines – 1,493 points, 12 first‑place votes
• #3 Houston Cougars – 1,401 points
• #4 Kansas Jayhawks – 1,312 points
• #5 Duke blue Devils – 1,270 points

Source: Associated Press Men’s Basketball Poll released Jan 5, 2026.

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Arizona Wildcats – Why the Wildcats lead the Pack

• Defensive efficiency: 89.2 rating (3rd best in the nation).
• Key contributors:

1. Jaden Parker – 17.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg,2.3 apg.
2. Mason Klein – 15.4 ppg,4.8 rpg, 3.0 apg.
3. Zack Hernandez – 12.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.7 apg, 38% from three.
4. Recent performance: 4‑0 stretch (wins over Gonzaga, texas, Louisville, and home win vs. UCLA).
5. Strength of schedule: 78.4 (top‑15 nationally).

benefit for fans: Arizona’s balanced attack and stifling defense make them a reliable pick for March madness brackets.

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michigan Wolverines – The Red‑Hot Contenders

• Offensive firepower: 112.6 points per 100 possessions (2nd in the nation).
• Standout players:

1. Ethan Carter – 19.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.9 apg, 42% three‑point shooting.
2. Jordan Miller – 13.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.5 apg, double‑double average.
3. Tyler Nguyen – 10.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, clutch late‑game performances.
4. Recent streak: 3‑1 (loss to Purdue, wins over Ohio State, Indiana, and a road victory at Minnesota).
5. Key advantage: Depth; five players averaging double‑figures in points.

Practical tip: watch the Wolverines’ bench minutes – the third‑string guard frequently enough provides a spark that fuels second‑half runs.

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Key Games This Week (Jan 10 – Jan 14, 2026)

Date (ET)	Matchup	TV/streaming	Ranking Impact
Jan 11, 7:30 PM	Arizona @ Gonzaga (Pac‑12)	ESPN2	Potential #1‑vs‑#5 showdown
Jan 12, 8:00 PM	Michigan vs. Purdue (Big ten)	Big Ten Network	Win could close gap with #1
Jan 12, 9:00 PM	Duke vs. North Carolina (ACC)	ACC Network	ACC power‑play; impacts top‑10
Jan 13, 7:00 PM	Kansas @ Baylor (Big 12)	NBC Sports	Mid‑week upset potential
Jan 14, 6:30 PM	Houston vs. Memphis (American)	CBS Sports	Battle for top‑5 positioning

Fast‑scan tip: Click the “Add to Calendar” button on archyde.com’s schedule page to set reminders for each marquee matchup.

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Printable Weekly Schedule – Download & Use

• Format: PDF (8.5 × 11 in, portrait) and printable excel sheet.
• Features:

1. Game dates, times, and venues.
2. Broadcast network icons for one‑click TV guide reference.
3. space for personal notes (e.g., betting odds, player injuries).
4. How to download:
5. Visit archyde.com/college‑basketball‑schedule‑jan‑2026.
6. Click “Download PDF” or “Export to Excel.”
7. Open in any PDF viewer or spreadsheet programme and print (double‑sided recommended).

Benefit: Keeps fans organized, especially those tracking multiple conferences or participating in office pool brackets.

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How the AP Rankings Influence the Season

1. Seeding for the NCAA Tournament – Higher‑ranked teams typically earn a 1‑4 seed, granting favorable early‑round matchups.
2. Recruiting perception – Programs in the top 10 see a measurable uptick in 2026‑27 recruiting class rankings (average +2 spots).
3. Media coverage & revenue – top‑5 teams receive a 15% increase in national broadcast slots, translating into higher ad revenue for conferences.

Real‑World Example: After Arizona’s rise to #1 in December 2025, the university reported a 12% increase in ticket sales for the remaining home games and a surge in merchandise revenue (source: Arizona Athletics Financial Report Q4 2025).

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Practical Tips for Fans Tracking Rankings

• Set up Google Alerts for “AP Top 25 College Basketball” to receive real‑time updates.
• Use the archyde.com mobile widget to view live ranking changes without leaving the home screen.
• Cross‑reference with the KenPom efficiency ratings for deeper insight into how statistical performance aligns with poll positions.
• Follow team-specific Twitter feeds (e.g., @ArizonaMBB, @MGoBucks) for injury news that could affect weekly rankings.

Pro tip: Combine poll rankings with NET (NCAA Evaluation Tool) scores to spot potential “Cinderella” candidates before they break into the Top 25.

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Upcoming Rivalry Highlights (Jan 15 – Feb 5, 2026)

• Arizona vs. USC (Jan 17, 8:00 PM, Pac‑12) – Anticipated battle for conference supremacy.
• Michigan vs. Ohio State (Jan 22, 7:30 PM, Big Ten) – Classic “Game of the Century” vibe renewed after a 10‑year hiatus.
• Duke vs. Virginia (Jan 27,9:00 PM,ACC) – Defensive showdown; both teams sit inside the Top 15.

Actionable: Add these rivalry dates to your printable schedule; they often generate the biggest shifts in the AP poll.

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Frequently Updated Resources (Jan 10 – Mar 1, 2026)

• Live AP Top 25 Tracker – Updated after each poll release (Monday evenings).
• game‑by‑Game Boxscore Archive – Clickable links to ESPN and CBS Sports for detailed statistics.
• Interactive Ranking Heat Map – Visualize geographic distribution of Top 25 schools across the United States.

How to access: All resources are located under the “College Basketball Rankings” hub on archyde.com. Bookmark the page for instant access.