A full week of the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season is in the books and the first AP Top 25 poll is out. Purdue began the preseason at No. 1, but Houston takes the top spot in this initial ranking. Florida, last year’s champion, slid to No. 10. Top five: Houston, Purdue, UConn, Duke, Arizona. Biggest movers since the Oct. 13 preseason ballot: Arizona (+8 to No. 5), Alabama (+7 to No. 8) and North Carolina (+7 to No. 18). Largest drops: St. John’s (-8 to No. 13), Florida (-7 to No. 10), Arkansas (-7 to No. 21) and Kansas (-6 to No. 25). Times Eastern. Stats from ESPN Research unless noted.
1. Houston Cougars Preseason: 2 | Record: 2-0 Note: Freshmen starred in the win over Towson — Kingston Flemings became the first Houston freshman in 30+ seasons to score 20 on at least 80% shooting in a 30-plus minute game, and Chris Cenac Jr. is the first Houston freshman in 30+ seasons to grab 10+ rebounds in his first two games. Next: Wed vs. Oakland, 8 p.m., ESPN+
2. Purdue Boilermakers Preseason: 1 | Record: 2-0 Note: Purdue’s nonconference home streak remains unbroken since Nov. 2019. Braden Smith has totaled 26 points and 20 assists through two games — the first Purdue player in 20
