Men's college basketball AP Poll: Michigan jumps to No. 1 after Arizona crashes with back-to-back losses

Texas Tech celebrates after defeating Arizona during an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona fell to both Kansas and Texas Tech last week, leaving Miami (OH) as the country's last undefeated team. (AP/Rick Scuteri)
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Arizona crashed, hard.

Here’s everything you missed in the 15th week of the regular season, and the latest Associated Press poll.

Arizona’s undefeated run throughout college basketball has finally come to an end.

The Wildcats, after starting the season on a 23-game win streak, lost back-to-back games this past week. Kansas handed them their first loss of the season without the help of star Darryn Peterson, who missed that contest at Allen Fieldhouse with flu-like symptoms, on Monday. Then Texas Tech went into Tucson and handed the Wildcats a second loss in overtime on Saturday night, thanks to 31 points from JT Toppin.

The two losses dropped Arizona three spots in this week’s poll to No. 4. That paved the way for Michigan to take over the No. 1 spot. It also made Miami (Ohio) the last undefeated program in the country. The Redhawks, at 25-0, will take on UMass and Bowling Green this week.

The Wolverines improved to 24-1 last week after a 30-point blowout over UCLA. They've got No. 7 Purdue and No. 3 Duke up this week, however. Houston moved up a spot to No. 2 after Arizona's skid, and UConn climbed to No. 5. 

Now, it’s probably not time to panic about Arizona just yet. The Wildcats were bound to slip up eventually. No team has gone undefeated and won the national championship in half a century. And, Arizona has lost these two games by a combined seven points.

But the Wildcats will have to rebound with No. 23 BYU — which has gone on a string of losses and is without star Richie Saunders after his ACL tear — and No. 2 Houston this week. A rematch with Kansas and Iowa State are still on the Wildcats schedule, too. Things could spiral quickly.

There is, though, plenty of time to rebound before the Big 12 tournament starts. Assuming this week goes well, there’s no reason to start doubting the Wildcats just yet.

All times ET | * denotes neutral site

Monday, Feb. 16

No. 2 Houston at No. 6 Iowa State | 9 p.m. | ESPN

Tuesday, Feb. 17

No. 1 Michigan at No. 7 Purdue | 6:30 p.m. | Peacock
No. 22 Miami (OH) at UMass | 7 p.m. | ESPN+

Wednesday, Feb. 18

No. 23 BYU at No. 4 Arizona | 9 p.m. | ESPN

Friday, Feb. 20

Bowling Green at No. 22 Miami (OH) | 8:30 p.m. | CBSSN

Saturday, Feb. 21

No. 4 Arizona at No. 2 Houston | 3 p.m. | ABC
No. 1 Michigan at No. 3 Duke | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN*
No. 6 Iowa State at No. 23 BYU | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN

The full Associated Press men’s basketball poll from February 16, 2026.

1. Michigan (24-1)
2. Houston (23-2)
3. Duke (23-2)
4. Arizona (23-2)
5. UConn (24-2)
6. Iowa State (22-3)
7. Purdue (21-4)
8. Kansas (19-6)
9. Nebraska (22-3)
10. Illinois (21-5)
11. Gonzaga (25-2)
12. Florida (19-6)
13. Texas Tech (19-6)
14. Virginia (22-3)
15. Michigan State (20-5)
16. North Carolina (20-5)
17. St. John's (20-5)
18. Saint Louis (24-1)
19. Vanderbilt (21-4)
20. Arkansas (19-6)
21. Louisville (19-6)
22. Miami (OH) (25-0)
23. BYU (19-6)
24. Wisconsin (18-7)
25. Alabama (18-7)

Others receiving votes: Clemson 55, Utah State 45, Tennessee 36, Villanova 29, Kentucky 15, Miami 10, Saint Mary's 3, VCU 1