News Summary
Purdue University has secured the first preseason No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press men’s basketball poll, marking a significant milestone ahead of the NCAA season. With 35 first-place votes, Purdue leads the rankings followed by the University of Houston and Florida. Head coach Matt Painter highlighted the high expectations for this season, aiming for a national title. The Boilermakers boast a strong roster, including standout players and new transfers, as they seek to break historical trends related to preseason rankings.
West Lafayette, Indiana
Purdue University has achieved a historic milestone by claiming the first preseason No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press men’s basketball poll, released on Monday. This noteworthy ranking comes just three weeks before the commencement of the NCAA season, which kicks off on November 3.
In the preseason poll, Purdue garnered 35 of 61 first-place votes, underscoring its strong position for the upcoming season. Following Purdue in the rankings is the University of Houston at No. 2 with 16 first-place votes, Florida at No. 3 with eight votes, and UConn at No. 4 with two votes.
Purdue head coach Matt Painter emphasized the heightened expectations surrounding the program, indicating that the vibe for this season centers on a “national-title-or-bust” mentality. With such aspirations, the Boilermakers are keen to capitalize on their recent successes.
Key Players and Roster Developments
Purdue’s roster is bolstered by standout point guard Braden Smith, who is widely recognized as one of the best returning players in college basketball. Additionally, forward Trey Kaufman-Renn is projected as a potential All-American. The Boilermakers have also strengthened their frontcourt by adding Oscar Cluff, a transfer from South Dakota State. Furthermore, Omer Mayer, an Israeli guard, is viewed as an x-factor capable of making a significant impact on the team’s performance.
Recent Trends and Historical Context
Despite Purdue’s historic preseason ranking, recent trends indicate that teams starting the season at No. 1 have faced challenges in meeting expectations. The previous two preseason No. 1 teams, including Kansas, did not advance past the first weekend of the NCAA tournament. Notably, North Carolina, which held the top position in 2023, failed to qualify for the NCAA tournament entirely.
Over the past decade, out of the last 10 national champions, only Baylor in 2021 was initially ranked as the preseason No. 1 team. This historical context raises questions about whether Purdue can break the trend and make a deep run in the postseason.
Conference Overview and Rankings
The Big East conference is anticipated to be a competitive environment this season, with UConn and St. John’s also making strong showings in the rankings at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively. UConn, aiming to rebound from a disappointing previous season, has enhanced its roster with key transfers and incoming freshmen.
In the Southeastern Conference (SEC), a total of six teams appear in the Top 25, matching the tally of the Big Ten. Florida leads the SEC at No. 3, followed closely by Kentucky at No. 9, with Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, and Auburn also represented in the rankings.
On the other hand, Kansas begins the season with a ranking of No. 19, its lowest preseason position in over a decade. Gonzaga stands out as the only non-power conference team in the Top 25, holding the No. 21 spot, while San Diego State, listed among the highest-ranked mid-majors, received votes but did not penetrate the Top 25.
Other notable teams in the rankings include Michigan at No. 7, BYU at No. 8, and Texas Tech at No. 10, with North Carolina rounding out the list at No. 25.
The preseason poll reflects the dynamic nature of college basketball, with numerous roster changes due to the transfer portal and coaching changes significantly impacting team rankings as the new season approaches.
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Additional Resources
- ESPN: AP Men’s College Basketball 2025-26 Preseason Top 25 Poll Reaction
- Wikipedia: College Basketball
- CBS Sports: Purdue Earns No. 1 Spot in Preseason AP Top 25 Poll
- Google Search: 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Season
- NCAA: Purdue, Houston, Florida Lead AP Top 25 Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Basketball
- SI: Men’s Hoops Top 25 AP Poll Takeaways 2025-26
- Google News: 2025-26 College Basketball
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