Two weeks into the season, key matchups have already begun to separate true national title contenders from the pretenders. Houston, Purdue, and UConn showed real toughness in a series of challenging games, while Duke and Arizona sit in the next tier of undefeated teams, with Illinois and Louisville also making early statements. Here’s how the Power 16 stacks up after Week 2.
1. Purdue Boilermakers (4-0)
After a statement 87-80 win over No. 8 Alabama, there’s no questioning why the Boilermakers opened the season at the top of the preseason poll. This is the most complete team in college hoops right now. Preseason national player of the year Braden Smith has taken the reins of this group, while seniors Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer have already shown how quickly they can take over games themselves.
2. Houston Cougars (4-0)
The title-hungry Cougars passed their first real test, closing out a 73-72 dogfight with No. 22 Auburn. This Houston team makes tenacious, gritty, defensive basketball entertaining. Their style of play might not always be pretty, but their length and toughness within head coach Kelvin Sampson’s system keep them competitive in every contest. From the veterans to the freshman talents of Chris Cenac Jr. and Kingston Flemings, everyone will be called upon to contribute.
3. UConn Huskies (4-0)
The UConn Huskies battled and came out on top at home in a thrilling 86-84 win over No. 7 BYU. Junior guard Solo Ball finished with 23 points but didn’t shoot efficiently, yet the Huskies still showed they have enough firepower to withstand an off night from their lead scorer. Silas Demary Jr. stepped up as the primary initiator, while their senior frontcourt duo continued their hot start, with Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed forming a formidable presence inside. Head coach Dan Hurley has his team prepared each and every week, and everyone should expect more of the same on Wednesday, when they face No. 5 Arizona.Wing Jayden Ross also looks like a player coming into his own, giving UConn another reliable contributor in their rotation.
4. Duke Blue Devils (4-0)
The main focus for Duke this week was continued growth and increased confidence among their underclassmen. Led by star freshman big Cameron Boozer, that group is steadily becoming more cohesive. The Blue Devils have yet to play a ranked team, but that will change on Nov. 18 when they face their toughest opponent of the season in No. 25 Kansas, led by fellow freshman star combo guard Darryn Peterson, who is already generating top–overall pick buzz.
5. Arizona Wildcats (4-0)
Arizona continues to look dangerous, powered by an impressive blend of young talent and veteran stability. The Wildcats followed up their hot start with another statement win, grinding out a 69-65 victory over No. 15 UCLA and flashing their deep pool of shot creators. After knocking off No. 3 Florida in the opener, freshman forward Koa Peat now leads Arizona into another heavyweight showdown, this time against No. 3 UConn on Wednesday.
6. Louisville Cardinals (4-0)
The Cardinals pulled off an impressive 96-88 win over No. 9 Kentucky earlier in the week, putting emphasis on the impact of their incoming group of both transfers and recruits. Their trio of guards have become the backbone of this Louisville team. Whether it be the freshman Mikel Brown Jr. or the senior Ryan Conwell, they’ve given reason to believe this team can elevate their performance in the most pivotal moments.
7. North Carolina Tar Heels (4-0)
After a highly anticipated opening week, this past stretch was far less demanding for the Tar Heels, giving their younger players valuable time to continue developing, including standout freshmen Caleb Wilson and Luka Bogavac. The additions of Henri Veesaar and Kyan Evans through the portal have further strengthened the rotation, with Veesaar looking like a new man compared to his time at Arizona. Their presence has only boosted the freshman duo’s chances of an early-season surge. North Carolina won’t face its next major test until a Thanksgiving matchup with No. 17 Michigan State.
8. Illinois Fighting Illini (4-0)
Illinois has assembled another impressive roster this season, and it showed in their 81-77 win over No. 11 Texas Tech. Head coach Brad Underwood continues to identify foreign prospects who make an immediate impact, and freshman big David Mirkovic is the latest example. The guard duo of Kylan Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic has also been highly effective, giving Illinois backcourt stability and scoring punch. This week, the Fighting Illini will face another major test as they prepare for No. 8 Alabama.
9. Florida Gators (3-1)
After suffering a loss to No. 5 Arizona in their season opener, the Gators bounced back by outlasting both Florida State (78-76) and Miami (82-68), their two in-state rivals. Florida’s frontcourt has been steady behind junior Thomas Haugh, but the defending national champions have started slowly, due in large part to the inconsistent and inefficient play of their transfer guard duo, Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee. That backcourt should find more rhythm as the season progresses.
10. Alabama Crimson Tide (2-1)
Despite their loss to No. 1 Purdue, Alabama remains a dangerous opponent for any team. Junior guard Aden Holloway continues to provide steady production, forming one of the best backcourt duos in the nation alongside sophomore Labaron Philon Jr., who looks noticeably improved. The Crimson Tide still need to address their issues on the glass, and they’ll get a quick opportunity to do so on Nov. 19 when they face No. 14 Illinois.
11. Michigan Wolverines (3-0)
The Wolverines didn’t just escape with an 85-84 overtime win over Wake Forest, they followed it up with another tight victory, edging TCU 67-63. Transfer center Aday Mara has asserted himself as their defensive anchor, but Yaxel Lendeborg and Elliot Cadeau have yet to elevate their play to the level expected when they arrived. Michigan’s depth isn’t a concern, but their top players still haven’t taken the steps many anticipated early in the season.
12. Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-1)
Texas Tech came up just short in a narrow loss to No. 14 Illinois early in the week. Despite an outstanding performance from star forward JT Toppin, it wasn’t enough, as sophomore guard Christian Anderson struggled through his worst outing of the season. They’re also adjusting to losing forward Darrian Williams, whose departure cost them key leadership. Now heavily star-dependent, Texas Tech will need its leaders to elevate quickly with a Nov. 20 matchup against Wake Forest looming, a team that pushed No. 6 Michigan to overtime last Tuesday.
13. Kentucky Wildcats (3-1)
The Wildcats fell flat on the road in their rivalry matchup with No. 12 Louisville. Transfer guard Denzel Aberdeen has carried the load to start the season, while veteran guard Otega Oweh has gotten off to a slow start in his second year with Kentucky. Aberdeen’s championship pedigree gives this team a steadying presence, but the Wildcats won’t reach their full potential until transfer Jayden Quaintance returns from injury. For now, they’ll look to bounce back as they head into a Nov. 18 matchup with No. 17 Michigan State at Madison Square Garden in the State Farm Champions Classic.
14. BYU Cougars (3-1)
Despite a narrow loss to No. 3 UConn, BYU showed plenty of fight on the road after facing an 11-point halftime deficit. Freshman star AJ Dybantsa continued to prove why he’s in the conversation for the top pick in next year’s draft, and he is beginning to learn how to make his teammates better in the way he’s capable of. The Cougars have a core trio that stacks up with anyone in the nation, but they must continue to play more cohesively as a team, with senior Richie Saunders and sophomore transfer Robert Wright III needing to shoulder a larger share of the load. BYU’s next test comes on Nov. 21 in their ranked matchup against No. 24 Wisconsin.
15. St. John’s Red Storm (2-1)
The Red Storm remain firmly in the national conversation thanks to the balance they show when they’re at their best. Veteran big Zuby Ejiofor has continued to dominate in the paint, while transfer guards Ian Jackson and Joson Sanon are thriving as instant-offense options off the bench. The new pieces should have time to settle into their roles, with St. John’s next major test not coming until Nov. 24 against No. 16 Iowa State.
16. Gonzaga Bulldogs (4-0)
Over the past week, the Bulldogs have stacked quality wins against elite competition, highlighted by a dominant 90-63 victory over No. 23 Creighton. Senior big Graham Ike has established himself as a force in the interior, even flashing stretch potential that wasn’t evident in previous seasons. Their depth has shown up in key moments, and it will need to continue as they prepare for a Nov. 24 matchup against No. 8 Alabama.
Next 5:
Iowa State Cyclones (3-0), Michigan State Spartans (3-0), Tennessee Volunteers (3-0), Wisconsin Badgers (3-0), Auburn Tigers (3-1)
Players of the Week:
1. Player: Mikel Brown] Jr., Louisville Cardinals
Brown Jr. has had an impressive start to his freshman campaign and has adapted quickly to the college game, highlighted by Louisville’s statement 96-88 win over rival Kentucky. He posted 29 points and 5 assists on 8-of-16 shooting, controlling the pace, consistently getting into the paint, and creating quality looks for the Cardinals offense. His poise and big-time shotmaking against a tough top-10 opponent give Louisville strong confidence in Brown Jr.’s ability to take the next step and emerge as a top guard prospect in the near future.
2 .Kingston Flemings, Houston Cougars
Flemings has made an immediate impact early in his freshman season, and his elevated play in Houston’s 73-72 win over Auburn was a major statement. A late turnover nearly cost the Cougars the game, but he redeemed himself with a clutch block on the next possession. The freshman guard delivered 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists on 8-of-13 shooting, showcasing his blend of soft touch and sharp playmaking that consistently set up teammates like Chris Cenac Jr. The freshman duo remained poised throughout, helping Houston grind out a win against a tough top-25 opponent.
3. David Mirkovic, Illinois Fighting Illini
Mirkovic contributed to an early upset win over Texas Tech, finishing with 11 points, 4 rebound, and 2 steals. However, the 6-9 freshman would come alive in Illinois’ 84-65 win over Colgate where he posted 27 points and 21 rebounds on 8-of-16 shooting from the field and 3-of-7 shooting from long range. Mirkovic dominated on each side of the glass while setting up crafty finishes around the rim, displaying his offensive hub potential. With his rapid impact, the freshman out of Montenegro looks to be yet another foreign find from the Fighting Illini.
4. Darrion Williams, NC State Wolfpack
Williams’ tenure with the Wolfpack has started off strong, leading NC State with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals on 12-of-19 shooting and 6-of-8 from deep in an 110-64 demolition of UNC Greensboro. The Texas Tech transfer wanted to prove himself as the primary option and it seems he’s only elevated his play, controlling the pace, facilitating the Wolfpack offense, and initiating efficient shot creation. Williams should expect bigger tests later on, but his maturity gives him a great head start.
5. Aday Mara, Michigan Wolverines
Mara has been the most consistent transfer to start the season for Michigan, beginning with his clutch performance in their 85-84 win over Wake Forest where he posted 18 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 blocks. Without the 7-3 UCLA transfer, the Wolverines seem to struggle creating advantages on either end of the court. His presence protecting the paint while consistently gaining positive offensive position continues to pose problems for defensive schemes.
Play of the Week:
Andrej Stojakovic Game-Sealing Block vs Texas Tech
https://x.com/CBBonFOX/status/1988455043167863066
