Unlike last week, there was little movement at the top of the rankings as both Arizona and Michigan continued to assert their dominance with authoritative wins. Most of the shakeup came further down the rankings, where BYU and Michigan State narrowly escaped upset bids, while the Big Ten added a new entrant in Nebraska following a statement victory over Illinois. With college football now shifting fully into playoff mode, the Saturday focus is turning toward a full slate of college basketball games. Here’s how the Power 16 stacks up after Week 6.
1. Arizona Wildcats (9-0)
Arizona made another statement Saturday night, dismantling No. 12 Alabama in a dominant 96–75 win. Their freshman duo of Koa Peat and Brayden Burries continues to elevate the offense, while veteran guard Jaden Bradley has added noticeable maturity from past seasons, giving the Wildcats a steadier and more composed backcourt presence. Even against Alabama’s physical frontcourt, Arizona controlled the glass behind the interior strength of Motiejus Krivas and Tobe Awaka, asserting themselves as one of the nation’s toughest rebounding teams. With multiple ways to win and growing cohesion across the roster, the Wildcats look as unstoppable as any team in the country. They’ll have time to continue sharpening their identity before conference play begins in January.
2. Michigan Wolverines (10-0)
Michigan continues to overwhelm opponents, making a strong case that they could justifiably sit at No. 1. This week’s dominant wins over Villanova (89–61) and Maryland (101–83) further showcased a team firing on all cylinders. The offense has molded cleanly around the strengths of transfers Yaxel Lendeborg (pictured) and Elliot Cadeau, both of whom delivered standout performances. Their frontcourt trio of Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr., and Aday Mara has imposed its will at the rim, while the backcourt continues to prove lethal with Nimari Burnett and LJ Cason providing efficient three-level scoring. With no major tests until January, the Wolverines will have even more time to sharpen their depth and cohesion as they make a push for the top spot nationally.
3. Duke Blue Devils (10-0)
After stacking three straight ranked wins over the past two weeks, Duke entered a rare idle stretch as it gears up for a looming battle with No. 16 Texas Tech next Saturday. All eyes will be on the frontcourt showdown between freshman sensation Cameron Boozer and Red Raiders junior JT Toppin, a matchup featuring two of the most impactful forwards in college basketball. Duke’s backcourt will also face a major challenge against Christian Anderson, a guard capable of catching fire at any moment. For the Blue Devils, sophomore Isaiah Evans will look to regain his rhythm and improve his efficiency as they aim to keep their unbeaten start intact.
4. Iowa State Cyclones (11-0)
Iowa State has climbed into the top five, and their rise shows no signs of slowing as they remain unbeaten. The Cyclones outlasted Iowa in a gritty 66–62 rivalry win before handling Eastern Illinois with ease. Senior forward Joshua Jefferson carried the load against Iowa, showcasing his stretch-scoring ability, while junior forward Milan Momcilovic continued his steady offensive production. Senior guard Tamin Lipsey set the tone defensively, applying constant ball pressure and anchoring the Cyclones’ perimeter defense while providing his usual reliable two-way impact. As conference play approaches, Iowa State will look to tighten its rotation and build greater consistency from its role players to complement an already formidable core.
5. UConn Huskies (10-1)
UConn survived both of their matchups this week, beating No. 18 Florida (77-73) and Texas (81-73). The Huskies again proved they have multiple contributors capable of stepping up on the brightest stages. Senior forward Alex Karaban continues to deliver consistent all-around production on both ends of the floor, while Tarris Reed Jr. is settling back into his key role after returning from injury. Freshman Braylon Mullins has quickly become an emerging impact piece, using his shooting versatility to elevate UConn’s offense while steadily climbing draft boards. The Huskies will hope Mullins and the rest of the rotation can maintain their momentum as they prepare for Butler and DePaul in conference play.
6. Purdue Boilermakers (10-1)
Purdue responded well from last week’s stumble, getting back on track with convincing wins over Minnesota (85-57) and Marquette (79-59). Their core of upperclassmen in Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn, Fletcher Loyer, and Oscar Cluff has become as reliable as any in the country thanks to their complementary skill sets and steady production. Even on nights when Smith or Kaufman-Renn are not asserting themselves as scorers, they continue to impact the game in meaningful ways. The Boilermakers will need to rediscover their true ceiling as they prepare for a major test against No. 21 Auburn on Dec. 20.
7. Houston Cougars (10-1)
Houston took care of business with two dominant wins, overwhelming Jackson State (80-38) and New Orleans (99-57). Their defense set the tone all week, showcasing its ceiling with Emanuel Sharp and Joseph Tugler anchoring the effort. The Cougars also highlighted their impressive young depth, as bench guards Isiah Harwell, Chase McCarty, and Mercy Miller each delivered season highs and provided meaningful sparks. Their ability to generate production from multiple lineups will be crucial once Big 12 play begins and the competition rises. Before then, a Dec. 20 matchup with No. 22 Arkansas stands as Houston’s next significant test.
8. Louisville Cardinals (9-1)
Louisville has regrouped well after its first loss of the season, extending its new win streak with a convincing 99-73 victory over Memphis. Ryan Conwell remains a steady offensive engine, while freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr. has taken a noticeable step forward as a downhill attacker, consistently getting to the free throw line. As Brown Jr. works to improve his overall efficiency, his ability to pressure the rim should continue to build confidence. The Cardinals have also benefited from increased bench production, with sophomore guard Adrian Wooley, senior big Kasean Pryor, and sophomore big Khani Rooths each flashing perimeter upside. That depth will be essential as Louisville prepares for its next major test on Dec. 16 against No. 20 Tennessee.
9. Nebraska Cornhuskers (11-0)
Nebraska jumps into the Power 16 at No. 9 after delivering a signature moment in the Big Ten, knocking off No. 13 Illinois on a buzzer-beater in an 83–80 thriller. The undefeated Cornhuskers are off to a program-best start and have quickly put the country on notice, validating their impressive preseason win over BYU that now looks like an early preview of what was to come. The steady backcourt play of Jamarques Lawrence combined with the elite stretch-scoring frontcourt duo of senior Rienk Mast and junior transfer Pryce Sandfort has created one of the nation’s most cohesive and well-balanced groups. With that chemistry only strengthening, Nebraska now turns its attention to a major conference test against No. 9 Michigan State.
10. Gonzaga Bulldogs (10-1)
Gonzaga picked up another quality win, grinding past No. 25 UCLA in an 82–72 battle. The frontcourt once again set the tone as upperclassmen bigs Braden Huff and Graham Ike combined for more than half of the Bulldogs’ scoring output, continuing their run as one of the nation’s most reliable interior tandems. The backcourt has largely followed their lead, but with West Coast Conference play approaching, the guards should expect to shoulder a larger share of the creation load as defenses key in on the bigs. Gonzaga will get one more chance to test itself outside league play when it faces an Oregon team searching for answers on Dec. 21.
11. BYU Cougars (9-1)
BYU authored one of the season’s most remarkable comebacks on Tuesday, wiping out a 21-point halftime deficit before stunning Clemson 67–64, capped by Robert Wright III drilling a game-winning three at the buzzer that underscored just how impactful the transfer guard has become. Freshman AJ Dybantsa continued his rapid development, delivering in every key moment and hitting difficult shots that fueled the rally, while Keba Keita controlled the paint on both ends. Senior wing Richie Saunders hit a rare cold spell from deep, but the Cougars responded two nights later with a dominant 100–53 win over UC Riverside. As BYU moves toward conference play in 2026, Saunders’ shooting consistency looms as the swing factor for a team with real top-10 potential.
12. Michigan State Spartans (9-1)
Michigan State also survived a scare this weekend, grinding out a 76–72 win over Penn State in a game that felt like a much-needed reset after their loss to No. 3 Duke. The Spartans fell behind early and struggled with sloppy execution, but the second-half surge was fueled by sophomore guard Divine Ugochukwu, who provided a major spark with his perimeter defense and timely shotmaking. Jeremy Fears Jr. orchestrated the offense effectively, though the looks he generated did not consistently translate into high-quality scoring opportunities. With time to regroup before a marquee showdown against No. 23 Nebraska in early January, Michigan State will look to establish more reliable answers and regain the sharpness expected from a top-15 team.
13. North Carolina Tar Heels (9-1)
The Tar Heels picked up a solid 80–62 win over South Carolina Upstate as freshman forward Caleb Wilson continues to thrive as the team’s top option, impacting the game on both ends with his scoring and rebounding. Wilson has shown impressive physicality on the glass for a freshman, helping anchor a North Carolina group that ranks among the nation’s top 15 rebounding teams. Freshman guard Luka Bogavac has made strides despite ongoing efficiency issues, while sophomore wing Jonathan Powell’s recent shooting performance could be a sign he is settling into a key bench role. North Carolina faces its next major test against Ohio State on Dec. 20.
14. Vanderbilt Commodores (10-0)
Through another week of play, Vanderbilt remains one of the six undefeated teams still standing after a comfortable 83–72 win over Central Arkansas. The Commodores’ star backcourt struggled from the field, but sophomore guard Tyler Tanner stepped in as the primary ball handler, while senior guard Duke Miles consistently disrupted action on the perimeter with his defensive pressure. With Tanner and Miles unable to provide their usual offensive output, Tyler Nickel caught fire from deep, emerging as a reliable secondary scoring option and boosting Vanderbilt’s offensive confidence. Nickel will look to carry that momentum into upcoming matchups against Memphis and Wake Forest.
15. Arkansas Razorbacks (8-2)
Despite early losses to No. 9 Michigan State and No. 4 Duke, the Razorbacks have responded by knocking off two ranked opponents over the past few weeks, highlighted by a 93–86 win over No. 16 Texas Tech. Whether it is freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr., senior big Trevon Brazile, or sophomore wing Karter Knox, a different star has emerged on any given night for Arkansas. The Razorbacks’ bench remains a dangerous weapon as well, with high-volume scorers like Meleek Thomas capable of swinging momentum when called upon. Arkansas faces its next major test when No. 7 Houston comes to town next Saturday.
16. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-3)
Despite a blowout loss to No. 1 Arizona, the Crimson Tide have notched enough quality wins this season to remain in the rankings. Rebounding continues to be a concern, as Alabama surrendered 22 offensive boards, exposing ongoing issues on the glass. Even amid those struggles, sophomore guard Labaron Philon Jr. has shown notable progression as a three-point shooter. As the primary lead guard in this offense, Philon will need to rein in turnovers and set a steadier tone across the rotation. Alabama closes the nonconference slate with a favorable stretch of games, offering an opportunity to clean up those areas before SEC play begins.
Next Five: Illinois Fighting Illini (8-3), Auburn Tigers (8-3), Kansas Jayhawks (8-3), St. John’s Red Storm (6-3), UCLA Bruins (7-3)
Players of the Week:
Lamar Wilkerson, Indiana
Wilkerson delivered one of the most electric performances of the season, erupting for a career-high 44 points in Indiana’s dominant 113–72 win over Penn State. He converted 10-of-15 from three and looked unstoppable all night, providing the dynamic scoring punch Indiana needed alongside fellow transfer Tucker DeVries. It was a statement outing and helped secure the Hoosiers’ first conference win of the season.
Karter Knox, Arkansas
Knox was impactful in every phase during Arkansas’ win over Texas Tech, showing why he is one of the Razorbacks’ most versatile weapons. In a lineup filled with offensive firepower, he tallied 20 points, six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, highlighting both his three-level scoring ability and his growing defensive presence on the perimeter. It was a complete performance that reflected his expanding role in Arkansas’ system.
Keaton Wagler, Illinois
The lanky freshman has quickly emerged as a breakout performer for Illinois, and he continued that momentum with a pair of strong outings. He posted 23 points and five assists in a win over Ohio State, then followed it with 19 points and 10 assists while hitting 4-of-8 from deep. Operating as the team’s lead initiator, Wagler has thrived alongside veteran guards Kylan Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic, giving Illinois shades of last year’s standout freshmen duo, Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley.
Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska
Sandfort has taken a major leap this season, and he showcased it on the national stage in Nebraska’s impressive win over Illinois. The Iowa transfer erupted for 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting and knocked down 6-of-11 from deep, demonstrating the scoring versatility that has turned him into a featured option. With increased volume and confidence, Sandfort is beginning to blossom into a true Big Ten star.
Brayden Burries, Arizona
Burries continues to be one of the most encouraging freshman risers in the country, delivering a breakout performance in Arizona’s win over Alabama. He finished with 28 points and seven rebounds while knocking down 5-of-10 from three, showing poise and shotmaking beyond his years. Playing comfortably next to veteran guard Jaden Bradley, Burries is thriving within Arizona’s deep rotation and forming an impressive freshman tandem with Koa Peat.
Play of the Week: AJ Dybantsa bringing BYU back from 21 point halftime deficit.
