The previous few weeks of faculty hoops have solely sophisticated the dialog surrounding the perfect groups within the sport, however that’s why we at Ballislife are right here to type via the entire chaos. Since we final checked in, Arizona is now not undefeated (or No. 1). Michigan continues to be out of its thoughts good, and so is Duke.
Iowa State is again within the nationwide title image after a pair of slip ups briefly brought about a collective souring on the Cyclones final month, whereas Nebraska and Illinois stay neck and neck after splitting a hotly contested season sequence. Oh, and there’s nonetheless loads of religion to go round for Texas Tech and Kansas regardless of their respective handful of losses.
The Prime 10
1. Michigan (25-1, 15-1 Huge 10)
With Arizona falling from the ranks of the unbeaten (and shedding a second recreation) since our final energy rankings, Dusty Might’s Michigan Wolverines are taking on the No. 1 spot they probably by no means would have relinquished had it not been for a flukish loss to Wisconsin as 18.5-point favorites on the prime of Huge 10 play.
The Wolverines have gone unbeaten over the course of the final month, together with wins over beforehand unscathed Nebraska at dwelling and red-hot rival Michigan State on the street in East Lansing. Michigan’s spectacular assertion in Huge 10 play thus far got here on Monday night time, beating No. 7 Purdue on the street in a powerful and decisive effort led by 17 factors from guard Elliot Cadeau (14 within the second half). The Wolverines may have one other likelihood to show their mettle on Saturday in a nationwide title-worthy showdown in opposition to Duke in Washington D.C.
No. 1 Michigan’s W over No. 7 Purdue offers the Wolverines their greatest begin EVER 🔥
They’re the primary Huge Ten group to start out 25-1 since 2010-2011‼️ pic.twitter.com/aIQAxA9HKI
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) February 18, 2026
2. Arizona (23-2, 10-2 Huge 12)
Again-to-back losses to ranked convention foes Kansas and Texas Tech have dimmed Arizona’s mild a bit this previous week, however the actuality is the Wildcats nonetheless have a greater resume than any of the opposite two and even three-loss groups that each the metrics and the media appear so determined to put above them.
Kansas, even with out Darryn Peterson, executed a virtually flawless and impressed recreation plan handy Arizona its first loss final week, and the hardest convention in basketball this season supplied little reprieve by providing up a loaded and skilled Texas Tech group that might very properly discover itself in Indianapolis for the Last 4 this April. Arizona’s upcoming week will certainly decide whether or not or not they continue to be a fixture close to the highest of the rankings, with video games in opposition to AJ Dybantsa’s BYU Cougars and the always-contending Houston Cougars on deck Wednesday and Saturday.
3. Duke (24-2, 13-1 ACC)
When it comes right down to it, the choice between Arizona and Duke for the No. 2 spot is de facto simply splitting hairs. North Carolina, who handed Duke its second lack of the season on an exciting Seth Trimble game-winner final week, is a markedly much less spectacular group than Kansas when each these groups are enjoying at their peak. Arizona and Duke each misplaced thrillers to Texas Tech, so not a lot of a distinction might be drawn from that frequent opponent. Nonetheless, each of Duke’s losses have come by solely a mixed 4 factors this season and some favorable bounces may simply have them in Michigan’s place on the prime of the rankings.
That makes Duke’s alternative in opposition to Michigan on Saturday all of the extra significant, as the sport will virtually definitely decide who sits atop the AP Ballot subsequent Monday morning. Cameron Boozer’s odds to win the Wood Award have solely grown in current weeks, and it’s not far-fetched that he and Duke get a nationwide championship trophy to go along with it.
4. Iowa State (23-3, 10-3 Huge 12)
A month in the past, Iowa State was in an identical spot to Arizona, having misplaced back-to-back video games after a protracted, undefeated run to start out the season. Since then, TJ Otzelberger’s Cyclones have gained six of their final seven video games, together with back-to-back assertion performances in opposition to Kansas (with Peterson) on Saturday and second-ranked Houston on Monday. Iowa State humbled the Jayhawks and their potential prime draft choose with an 18-point thrashing earlier than erasing a 10-point second-half deficit to Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars simply 48 hours and a few change later.
Houston may need a greater pound-for-pound resume when you think about the general energy of every group’s respective losses, however head-to-head outcomes communicate volumes. Plus, the three-headed monster of Joshua Jefferson, Milan Momcilovic, and Tamin Lipsey seems to have added a possible fourth head with Nate Heise’s lights-out capturing efficiency that pulled them forward of the Cougs down the stretch.
What a Monday it was for the Heise siblings…
🇺🇸 Taylor scores in recreation that sends Crew USA to the Gold Medal match
🏀 Nate hits game-winning 3pt shot for Iowa State to beat #2 Houston pic.twitter.com/0Hm4x7gyjc
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 17, 2026
5. Houston (23-3, 11-2 Huge 12)
UConn could have one fewer loss than Houston at this level, however the Huskies have additionally gone via an goal cakewalk in comparison with what the Cougars face night time after night time in Huge 12 play. There’s a motive the Huge 12 has 4 groups at present ranked within the prime 8 of the AP Ballot, and an in depth (albeit disappointing) loss to a nationwide title contender in Iowa State is definitely not sufficient to knock them down considerably. Particularly not after Danny Hurley’s crew slipped up in opposition to a St. John’s group that has been a bit lower than marketed this season.
Houston added one of many nation’s greatest freshmen (and gamers generally) in Kingston Flemings to a core of three starters that already went to the nationwide championship final season, and not one of the losses the Cougars have suffered this season have performed something to persuade me they’ll’t up the ante and win the entire thing this 12 months.
6. UConn (24-2, 14-1 Huge East)
As harmful as UConn is on a perennial foundation with Hurley on the helm, the Huskies are going via a transparent tough patch as they get into the meat of their Huge East schedule. The aforementioned loss to St. John’s, one of many few alternatives for an announcement within the Huge East this season, was sufficient of a success to morale. Turning within the efficiency they did in opposition to a decaying Georgetown program eight days later this previous Saturday, a slender however ugly 77-74 win, was in some way much more regarding.
Now that I’ve sounded the alarm, I’m positive the Huskies will flip it proper again on and make me eat my phrases. Alternative to avenge their loss to the Johnnies awaits on Saturday after a date with Creighton on Wednesday. Saturday’s shot at revenge might be adopted with one other problem in opposition to a robust Villanova group.
7. Illinois (21-5, 12-3 Huge 10)
Relationship again to the Illini’s 8-3 begin to the season, the frequent sentiment was they have been a greater group than the file they accrued throughout that early gauntlet. That gauntlet included losses to constant contenders UConn and Alabama, in addition to a house loss to an rising Nebraska group that may ultimately go on to win its first 20 video games. And whilst robust because the Huskers have confirmed themselves to be, that results of the preliminary assembly between the groups felt as if perhaps the higher group didn’t win.
Possible top-five choose Keaton Wagler and the Illini avenged that slip-up on Feb. 1, touring to Lincoln and leaving with a decisive win after a dominant second half. Wins over Iowa and Purdue strengthen the Illini’s resume in Huge 10 play, however current stumbles in opposition to Michigan State and Wisconsin have pushed them properly under the place they need to be.
8. Nebraska (22-3, 11-3 Huge 10)
Don’t get me improper, it is a actually robust Nebraska basketball group. Possible the strongest ever. Its first win over Illinois proved it may well beat any group within the Huge 10, and a 58-56 win over Tom Izzo and Michigan State solely served to strengthen perception. Nonetheless, occasions have modified in the previous couple of weeks, and the Huskers have misplaced their final three video games in opposition to ranked Huge 10 opponents Michigan, Illinois and Purdue.
A slight silver lining is Nebraska misplaced solely to No. 1 Michigan and No. 7 Purdue by three factors every, however the outcomes additionally don’t assist disprove the speculation that Nebraska’s lucky non-conference and early Huge Ten schedule aided the Huskers’ historic begin. Nonetheless, Fred Hoiberg’s group has the potential to win out within the common season and will definitely be a really powerful out within the Huge 10 event.
9. Texas Tech (19-6, 9-3 Huge 12)
Six losses is sufficient that the nationwide media nonetheless gained’t give the Pink Raiders their respect, however one of many nation’s most constant packages this decade is arguably higher than they’ve ever been. And sure, that features the 2019 season the place they made it to the nationwide championship recreation. Earlier than we get to the energy of their wins, nonetheless, take into account that three of their six losses have come in opposition to groups at present ranked within the AP Prime 10 and 5 of their six losses have come in opposition to ranked opponents.
Now, let’s discuss in regards to the wins. As a result of there isn’t a group within the nation with a extra spectacular crop of them. Up to now this season, the Pink Raiders have handed Duke its first lack of the season, blew out Dybantsa and BYU, avenged their loss to Houston and beat an Arizona group that spent many of the season atop nearly each ballot, rating and metric accessible.
10. Kansas (19-6, 9-3 Huge 12)
The Jayhawks felt much more harmful earlier than going out and laying an egg at Iowa State on nationwide tv Saturday, with Darryn Peterson nonetheless. The truth is, nonetheless, on any given day the perfect participant within the nation offers this roster an opportunity to beat any of the 9 groups listed above them in these rankings. There’s now not a debate about who the perfect participant within the nation is when everyone seems to be totally on, we all know it’s Peterson, however we additionally know that it’s hit and miss whether or not he and his group are on the prime of their video games.
When Kansas is on the prime of its recreation, the Jayhawks could very properly be probably the most harmful group within the nation. Peterson’s late-game scoring show to stun Texas Tech final month proved simply how excessive he can elevate Kansas’ ceiling, and the Jayhawks win over beforehand unbeaten and top-ranked Arizona with out Peterson within the lineup proved they’re a legit menace even with out the pomp and circumstance of a generational prospect.
