Boiler Up! Purdue Tops Preseason AP Top 25 for First Time in History
For the first time in program history, Purdue University has claimed the No. 1 ranking in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 college basketball poll, a significant milestone as the 2025-26 NCAA season tips off.
The Boilermakers received 35 of 61 first-place votes, narrowly edging out last season’s national runner-up Houston and defending NCAA champion Florida, who landed at No. 2 and No. 3 respectively.
“Being ranked No. 1 in the preseason is a great indicator of what we feel this team can accomplish,” head coach Matt Painter said Monday. “But the goal is to be No. 1 at the end of the year.”
Purdue has previously reached No. 1 during the regular season in recent years but had never started a season at the top of the rankings. Their highest-ever preseason ranking until now was No. 2, way back in the 1987-88 season under legendary coach Gene Keady.
📈 Purdue’s Rise: Building Toward History
Painter, who enters his 21st season as head coach and once played under Keady, has transformed Purdue into a perennial contender. The Boilermakers reached the Sweet 16 last season, narrowly falling to Houston on a buzzer-beater, but return a stacked lineup including first-team AP All-American point guard Braden Smith, leading scorer Trey Kaufman-Renn (20.1 PPG), and veteran guard Fletcher Loyer.
This continuity — paired with elite experience — has solidified Purdue’s place as a top title threat.
🏀 Top 5 Teams in 2025-26 Preseason AP Poll
- Purdue (35 first-place votes)
- Houston (16)
- Florida (8)
- UConn (2)
- St. John’s
Houston’s No. 2 ranking equals its best-ever preseason position, first achieved in 1967-68 behind Elvin Hayes. Meanwhile, Florida returns to elite status after last season’s championship, earning its highest preseason slot since its back-to-back title era in 2006-07 under Billy Donovan.
St. John’s, led by Rick Pitino, broke its previous best preseason ranking by climbing to No. 5 — a significant achievement for a program seeking resurgence.
🔟 The Complete Top 10:
- Duke
- Michigan
- BYU (highlighted by No. 1 national recruit A.J. Dybantsa)
- Kentucky
- Texas Tech
📊 Teams on the Rise: Louisville, Arkansas, Auburn
- Louisville debuts at No. 11 under Pat Kelsey, following a stunning 27-win campaign that marks a major turnaround from a dismal 12-52 record over the previous two seasons.
- Arkansas, now under John Calipari, continues to draw attention in Calipari’s second year after moving from Kentucky.
- Auburn begins a new chapter at No. 20 following the surprise retirement of Bruce Pearl, with son Steven Pearl taking the reins as head coach.
📉 Notable Dip: Kansas at No. 19
One of college basketball’s blue-bloods, Kansas, finds itself at No. 19 — the lowest preseason ranking for Bill Self’s team since 2008-09. Despite recent years starting at No. 1 (including back-to-back seasons), the Jayhawks now face the challenge of climbing back into elite territory.
🏆 Conference Breakdown: Dominance by SEC, Big Ten & Big 12
- SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12 each boast six teams in the Top 25 — dominating the preseason landscape.
- ACC and Big East follow with three teams each.
- WCC is represented solely by No. 21 Gonzaga.
The Big 12 stands out further, being the only conference with three teams in the Top 10, highlighting its growing reputation as the sport’s toughest league.
🔍 Just Missed: NC State and Oregon
The NC State Wolfpack, rejuvenated under new head coach Will Wade, were the first team outside the Top 25, just three points shy of rival North Carolina at No. 25. Oregon, entering its 16th season under Dana Altman, is also closely lurking and could break into the rankings early in the season.
As the season approaches, Purdue’s No. 1 ranking sets the tone for what promises to be another thrilling year of college basketball — filled with rising stars, coaching debuts, and high-stakes rivalries.
But as Coach Painter reminds his team and fans alike: it’s not how you start, but how you finish.
🏀 Stay updated with the latest NCAA basketball rankings at:
https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll
