The Associated Press top 25 college basketball poll is set to update on Monday after a two-week hiatus, with significant shifts expected at the top. Arkansas is forecasted to make a notable jump into the rankings, while the battle between undefeated Arizona and Michigan intensifies. Vanderbilt maintains its perfect 14-0 record but faces a crucial test against Alabama this week.
The AP poll, last released on December 22, showed Arizona holding the No. 1 spot despite mounting evidence favoring Michigan, such as KenPom's net rating, scoring margin, and strength of schedule. Michigan received 19 of 58 first-place votes in that poll, up from 15 the previous week, indicating growing support. Arizona has remained unbeaten at 14-0, securing three wins since the last update by an average margin of 27.7 points against Bethune-Cookman, South Dakota State, and Utah. These victories, though against non-elite opponents, have been decisive.
Michigan has bolstered its case with dominant performances, including a 41-point win over McNeese and a 30-point victory against USC. The Wolverines became the first team since the 1996-97 season to defeat three ranked opponents by 30 or more points. They lead the nation in scoring margin at 30.2 points, despite a nonconference schedule ranked 14th by KenPom.
Meanwhile, Vanderbilt preserved its undefeated 14-0 start with an 83-71 road win at South Carolina, where Tyler Tanner contributed 19 points and 14 assists. The Commodores boast 12 double-digit victories and strong computer metrics but have yet to beat a current AP top 25 team. However, their earlier wins over UCF (105-93 in November) and SMU (88-69 in December) gain value now that both are ranked—UCF at 19th and SMU at 20th in the CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 after upsets over Kansas and North Carolina, respectively.
Vanderbilt sits at No. 12 in those rankings, just ahead of Alabama at No. 13, setting up a marquee SEC matchup on Wednesday in Nashville. Michigan holds the top spot in the CBS rankings for the 26th straight day with a KenPom net rating of +39.30, the second-best in database history dating to 1996-97.
