Red-hot Houston jumps to No. 3 in men's Top 25

Field Level Media|published: Mon 9th February, 13:32 2026

NCAA Basketball: Central Florida at Houston

Feb 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) dribbles against the UCF Knights in the first half at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Houston vaulted five spots to No. 3 in the Associated Press men's Top 25 college basketball poll released on Monday.

Unbeaten Arizona (23-0) remained No. 1 for the ninth straight week and claimed all 59 first-place votes for the fourth consecutive week. No. 2 Michigan (22-1) held steady, with the surging Cougars (21-2) followed by No. 4 Duke (21-2) and No. 5 Iowa State (21-2).

Houston defeated UCF 79-55 last Wednesday and won 77-66 at then-No. 16 BYU on Saturday to return to the top five for the first time since November.

No. 6 UConn (22-2) dropped three places after losing Friday to then-No. 22 St. John's. Nebraska (21-2), Illinois (20-4), Kansas (18-5) and Michigan State (20-4) round out the top 10.

Gonzaga (23-2) took the week's biggest tumble, sliding six spots to No. 12 after a stunning loss to Portland last Wednesday. BYU also fell six spots.

No. 25 Kentucky (17-7) is back in the poll for the first time since December after Saturday's 74-71 victory against former No. 25 Tennessee, which knocked the Volunteers out of the top 25.

The rest of the Top 25:

11. North Carolina (19-4)

12. Gonzaga (23-2)

13. Purdue (19-4)

14. Florida (17-6)

15. Virginia (20-3)

16. Texas Tech (17-6)

17. St. John's (18-5)

18. Saint Louis (23-1)

19. Vanderbilt (19-4)

20. Clemson (20-4)

21. Arkansas (17-6)