UConn and Illinois Drop in Rankings; UNC Rises After Defeating Duke
A shift in the latest college basketball AP Top 25 rankings sees UConn and Illinois fall, while North Carolina climbs after a thrilling win over Duke.
The latest AP Top 25 poll, released on February 9, 2026, highlighted notable changes after a busy week in college basketball. Several teams in the top 10, including UConn and Duke, suffered losses, allowing Houston to climb to third place in the rankings.
In a thrilling rivalry match, North Carolina’s Seth Trimble scored a crucial three-pointer, securing a 71-68 victory over Duke and propelling the Tar Heels up to the 11th position.
Duke, which maintained a 10-game winning streak before this matchup, fell only slightly to the fourth spot in the rankings. UConn, also dropping after a defeat against St. John’s, fell to sixth place after experiencing a strong win streak earlier in the season.
AP Top 25 Rankings
- Arizona (59 votes)
- Michigan
- Houston
- Duke
- Iowa State
- UConn
- Nebraska
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Michigan State
- North Carolina
- Gonzaga
- Purdue
- Florida
- Virginia
- Texas Tech
- St. John’s
- Saint Louis
- Vanderbilt
- Clemson
- Arkansas
- BYU
- Miami (OH)
- Louisville
- Kentucky
This week’s shifts highlight the ongoing competition in college basketball, showcasing the potential for significant upsets.
