This was a very chaotic and exciting week highlighted by the top-ranked team losing, as previously undefeated Purdue suffered its first defeat at the hands of Iowa State and relinquished the No. 1 spot. Meanwhile, five ranked teams remain unbeaten, including Arizona, Michigan, and Duke, each firmly positioned within the top five. With momentum shifting and contenders beginning to separate, here’s how the Power 16 stacks up after the first five weeks of play.
1. Arizona Wildcats (8-0)
Arizona made another statement in its lone matchup this week, dominating No. 20 Auburn in a 97-68 win. Freshman forward Koa Peat has remained a steady presence to open the season, while fellow freshmen Brayden Burries (pictured) and Ivan Kharchenkov continue to provide valuable complements to Peat’s mature and impactful game. In addition, senior guards Jaden Bradley and Anthony Dell’Orso have stepped up as veteran leaders in key stretches. Arizona will rely on the continued progression of its deep roster as it prepares for No. 12 Alabama next Saturday.
2. Duke Blue Devils (10-0)
Over the last two weeks, Duke has continued stacking key wins against ranked opponents, and this week was no different as the Blue Devils secured narrow victories over No. 15 Florida (67-66) and No. 7 Michigan State (66-60). Freshman big Cameron Boozer continues to dominate as he gradually expands his game beyond the arc, while sophomores Isaiah Evans and Patrick Ngongba II have begun to settle into ideal roles around the star freshman. Duke will have another week to sharpen its offensive efficiency with no major challenger on the schedule until its Dec. 20 matchup against No. 19 Texas Tech.
3. Michigan Wolverines (8-0)
Michigan continues to pile up dominant wins, extending its streak of 100-plus-point games with a 101-60 victory over Rutgers. Their bench depth remains a major weapon, while their four star transfers have meshed together seamlessly. Yaxel Lendeborg has emerged as a major two-way difference-maker and Elliot Cadeau has provided immense offensive playmaking. Meanwhile, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara have established themselves as impactful interior forces for the Wolverines. As they continue their hot start, Michigan will have multiple opportunities to collect more statement wins against Villanova and Maryland.
4. UConn Huskies (8-1)
Since their lone loss to No. 2 Arizona, the Huskies have bounced back, edging No. 21 Kansas 61-56 without a healthy Tarris Reed Jr. Not only has Solo Ball strung together quality performances as a facilitator, but young contributors have stepped up, with freshmen Eric Reibe and Braylon Mullins looking like seasoned pieces in Dan Hurley’s system. Their continued growth will be crucial as UConn prepares for a Dec. 9 matchup against a No. 15 Florida squad fighting to stay in the national conversation.
5. Iowa State Cyclones (9-0)
By handing No. 1 Purdue a stunning blowout loss, the Cyclones delivered a clear statement that they belong among college basketball’s elite. Before dismantling Purdue, they cruised past Alcorn State 132-68. The jump in production from Milan Momcilovic and Joshua Jefferson has been essential, while newcomers Blake Buchanan and Killyan Toure have provided positive early returns. Meanwhile, the return of Tamin Lipsey from a minor injury proved meaningful in their rout of Purdue. Iowa State now turns to an in-state showdown with Iowa before entering a lighter stretch of the schedule.
6. Purdue Boilermakers (8-1)
The Boilermakers appeared to be rolling until this week, when they suffered a crushing 81-58 loss to No. 10 Iowa State. They opened the week with a comfortable 81-65 win over Rutgers, but could not sustain that level the second time out. Senior lead guard Braden Smith struggled to make his mark, while the frontcourt led by Trey Kaufman-Renn was physically overwhelmed. Following a historic home loss, Purdue now has a week to regroup as they prepare for Minnesota and Marquette before turning their attention to their next ranked opponent.
7. Louisville Cardinals (8-1)
Louisville suffered its first loss of the season in an 89-80 setback, but quickly responded with an impressive 87-78 win over No. 22 Indiana. Their weaknesses appeared against No. 25 Arkansas as the backcourt struggled with three-point efficiency, but veteran guards Ryan Conwell and Isaac McKneely helped steady the ship with efficient volume shooting. Meanwhile, freshman Mikel Brown Jr. will look to break his recent cold stretch, particularly from deep, as Louisville prepares for a Dec. 13 matchup against Memphis before another major test against No. 13 Tennessee.
8. Houston Cougars (8-1)
Houston put together one of its most complete showings of the season in an 82-67 win over Florida State, with three starters scoring 15-plus points. Freshmen Kingston Flemings and Chris Cenac Jr. controlled the offense, while senior guard Emanuel Sharp delivered his best outing of the season, flashing improved efficiency from both the field and beyond the arc. Sharp and the rest of the starters will look to build momentum ahead of their Dec. 20 matchup with No. 25 Arkansas.
9. BYU Cougars (7-1)
BYU kept its momentum rolling in a 91-60 win over California Baptist, with all five starters scoring in double figures and showcasing how balanced this roster can be. Led by freshman forward AJ Dybantsa, sophomore guard Robert Wright III, and senior big Keba Keita, the Cougars continue to control games on both ends. From offensive shot creation to defensive intensity, this starting group is beginning to click, and they’ll look to keep it rolling when they face Clemson on Tuesday.
10. Michigan State Spartans (8-1)
After handling Iowa 71–52, Michigan State pushed No. 2 Duke to the wire in a competitive 66–60 loss that ended their unbeaten start. The frontcourt pairing of Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper battled well inside, but the backcourt struggled to find rhythm. Although Jeremy Fears Jr. orchestrated the offense effectively, he was unable to convert from the field. The Spartans now enter a lighter stretch with time to recalibrate before their next major test against No. 24 USC in early January.
11. Gonzaga Bulldogs (9-1)
The Bulldogs responded from their blowout loss to No. 3 Michigan with a strong bounce-back week, first rolling past No. 18 Kentucky 94–59 and then dismantling North Florida 109–58. The frontcourt duo of Braden Huff and Graham Ike continues to anchor both ends, while shifting senior guard Tyon Grant-Foster into a sixth-man role may prove to be a valuable adjustment. Gonzaga will look to sustain this momentum when they meet UCLA on Dec. 13.
12. North Carolina Tar Heels (8-1)
The Tar Heels stacked two quality wins this week, edging No. 18 Kentucky 67–64 before handling Georgetown 81–61. The frontcourt tandem of Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar continues to set the tone, even as inconsistent guard play remains a concern. Freshman guard Derek Dixon has begun to provide a needed spark from what had been an underutilized bench group, and his emergence could prove timely. As ACC play approaches in January, North Carolina will need to uncover more reliable guard production to maintain its momentum.
13. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-2)
In a high-scoring 90–84 win over Clemson, Alabama was pushed late but showed off its depth as freshmen Amari Allen and London Jemison made timely contributions, while sophomore big Aiden Sherrell anchored the paint with a strong defensive showing. With junior Aden Holloway sidelined, sophomore guard Labaron Philon Jr. continued to get to his spots comfortably and is gradually shaping his long-range shooting into a reliable weapon. Alabama will need these impact performances to carry over as they prepare for No. 2 Arizona next Saturday.
14. Illinois Fighting Illini (7-2)
Despite the loss to No. 5 UConn, Illinois stayed composed heading into its matchup with Tennessee and earned a valuable 75, 62 win on Saturday. The Illini’s starting group continues to drive their success, while freshman wing Keaton Wagler has impressed by taking on increasing on-ball responsibility. Although Andrej Stojakovic is in a cold stretch, freshman big David Mirkovic and the Ivisic brothers, Tomislav Ivisic and Zvonimir Ivisic, have added stretch versatility and size. Illinois will lean on its young core as it prepares for the opening portion of Big Ten play, beginning with Ohio State.
15. Vanderbilt Commodores (9-0)
Vanderbilt remains one of the more polarizing unbeaten teams given its lighter schedule, but the Commodores continue to look like a legitimate SEC threat after a comfortable 88–69 win over SMU. The combination of freshman guard Tyler Tanner and senior transfer Duke Miles has been as productive as any backcourt in the country, while senior forward Tyler Nickel continues to operate as a reliable long-range shooter and senior transfer Jalen Washington provides needed interior defense. The real tests are still ahead, but tricky upcoming matchups with Memphis and Wake Forest should offer a clearer evaluation before conference play begins in January.
16. Arkansas Razorbacks (7-2)
After falling to No. 4 Duke, Arkansas bounced back with a signature 89–80 win over No. 6 Louisville. Freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. continues to steer the backcourt with his court vision and shot creation, and when the Razorbacks are at their best, they are maximizing a nine-man rotation. The bench unit remains a major strength, led by standout freshman Meleek Thomas and senior transfer Malique Ewin. Arkansas is playing its best basketball of the season, and that trend will need to continue heading into a Dec. 13 matchup against Texas Tech.
Next Five: Kansas Jayhawks (7-3), Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-2), Tennessee Volunteers (7-3), Auburn Tigers (7-3), Florida Gators (5-3)
Players of the Week:
1. Emanuel Sharp, Houston
Entering the season, Sharp expected to take over the scoring column for the Cougars, and he’s answered the call. After struggling with his inefficiency to begin 2025, Sharp came alive this week with 27 points on 10-of-17 from the field and 5-of-10 from beyond the arc against Florida State. Sharp’s been a three-point sniper over the last two seasons while his efficiency continues to rise. The Cougars have seen the arrival of their impact freshman stars, but Sharp will continue to be the biggest factor in the team’s success.
2. Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State
Jefferson has only improved in his second season with the Cyclones. Specifically, in two games this week, he displayed his efficient offensive hub potential, including a 24-point double-double in a win over Alcorn State. That performance seeped into their win over No. 1 Purdue where he showed his stretch four versatility, converting 3-of-4 on triples. The lethal combination of Jefferson and Milan Momcilovic has defined the Cyclones’ hot start and rise to the top of college hoops.
3. Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt
From his freshman season to his sophomore campaign, Tanner has emerged as one of the most improved players in the nation. His three-point stroke has taken a major leap and continued to shine against SMU, when he tallied 26 points, five rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Tanner impacts the game on both ends, blending offensive creation with perimeter defensive disruption. With the Commodores ranking among the top three nationally in scoring at 96.8 points per game, Tanner’s development has been a major driver behind that surge.
4. Keba Keita, BYU
Keita has been a dominant defensive force all season long, elevating his play this week in their sole win over California Baptist. He heavily contributed offensively as well, recording 25 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks, using his efficient inside touch. Surrounded by a star-studded supporting cast, the pressure has been off Keita early on. Keita has been a consistent interior force on both sides for the Cougars, and it seems he’s rounding into form.
5. Hannes Steinbach, Washington
There are many freshmen with enormous expectations this season. Steinbach hasn’t had those expectations, but he’s started putting college basketball on notice, tallying 29 points and 10 rebounds in a loss against UCLA while adding 24 points and 16 rebounds in a statement victory over No. 24 USC. Steinbach continues to show his potential as a prototypical international big prospect. As a freshman, his rapid development into a pro-level offensive hub could be his biggest strength in the eyes of scouts.
Play of the Week:
Mikel Brown Jr. Poster vs Arkansas
https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/47194988
