Houston climbs to No. 1 in chaotic week for Top 25

Field Level Media|published: Mon 10th November, 13:57 2025

Nov 8, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) celebrates with guard Kingston Flemings (4) after a play during the second half against the Towson Tigers at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Houston leapfrogged Purdue for the No. 1 spot in the Associated Press Top 25 men's college basketball poll released on Monday.

The Cougars (2-0) received only 18 of the 61 first-place ballots -- half the number the Boilermakers (2-0) got -- after a chaotic opening week that saw changes up and down the rankings. Houston has 1,462 total points, just three more than Purdue.

While Houston posted comfortable wins against Lehigh and Towson last week, Purdue struggled to put away Oakland before winning 87-77 on Friday.

No. 3 UConn (2-0) moved up one spot and received three votes, No. 4 Duke (2-0) rose two rungs and earned two votes and No. 5 Arizona (2-0) jumped eight places for the week's biggest climb.

Rounding out the top 10 were Michigan (1-0), BYU (2-0), Alabama (2-0), Kentucky (2-0) and defending champion Florida (1-1), with the Wolverines and Crimson Tide -- who elevated seven spots -- each receiving one vote.

St. John's (1-1) slipped eight places to No. 13 and Arkansas (1-1) dropped seven spots to No. 21. The Gators also fell seven places. No. 18 North Carolina (2-0) moved up seven spots after a win against Kansas, which fell six spots to No. 25.

The rest of the Top 25:

11. Texas Tech (2-0)

12. Louisville (2-0)

13. St. John's (1-1)

14. Illinois (2-0)

15. UCLA (2-0)

16. Iowa State (2-0)

17. Michigan State (2-0)

18. North Carolina (2-0)

19. Gonzaga (2-0)

20. Tennessee (2-0)

21. Arkansas (1-1)