NCAA Basketball Rankings: Louisville & Illinois Surge Into Top 10

Big Moves in College Basketball Rankings

The college basketball landscape continues to shift as the 2025-26 season enters its second week, with two notable programs making significant jumps in the latest rankings. Louisville and Illinois have both surged into the top 10 of the Power 37 rankings, while Louisville has also climbed in both the AP Top 25 and USA Today Coaches Poll.

Louisville's Resurgence

Pat Kelsey's Louisville Cardinals have been the story of the early season, climbing from #13 to #8 in the Power 37 rankings after a convincing win over archrival Kentucky. The Cardinals' victory marked their first win over the Wildcats since 2020, a significant milestone in the heated rivalry.

Louisville's success has been recognized in the major polls as well. In the USA Today Sports Coaches Poll, the Cardinals jumped from 12th to a tie for 6th with Michigan. In the AP Top 25, Louisville is ranked 6th outright, marking the program's highest ranking in the AP poll since coming in at No. 5 on Feb. 10, 2020.

The Cardinals' offensive efficiency has been a key factor in their early success. After defeating Kentucky 96-88, Louisville followed up with a commanding 106-81 victory over Ohio, demonstrating their ability to dominate opponents with their scoring prowess.

Illinois's Impressive Rise

In the Power 37 rankings, the Illinois Fighting Illini have made one of the biggest jumps of the week, moving from #20 all the way to #9. This significant surge comes after the Illini's impressive victory over Texas Tech.

Under head coach Brad Underwood, Illinois has proven to be a formidable offensive force this season. Their performance against Texas Tech has many analysts believing that the Illini are emerging as a serious contender in the competitive Big Ten conference.

Top Teams Remain Firm

At the top of the rankings, Purdue remains the undisputed #1 team in the Power 37 after impressive road wins against Alabama and Akron. The Boilermakers have sent a clear message that they are the team to beat this season.

Arizona has moved up to #3 in the Power 37 after a crucial win over UCLA in Los Angeles. Houston, despite dropping to #3, proved their mettle with a gritty, last-second victory against Auburn.

UConn holds steady at #4, while Duke has climbed to #5. Alabama, despite their loss to Purdue, remains at #6, with Michigan right behind them at #7.

Looking Ahead

As the non-conference schedule continues, Louisville is set to face Cincinnati in a highly anticipated matchup. The Bearcats, who are also undefeated at 4-0, will provide another significant test for the Cardinals.

Illinois, meanwhile, will look to build on their momentum as they prepare for more challenging matchups in the coming weeks. With their strong offensive showing, the Illini have positioned themselves as a team that could make a deep run in March.

As the season progresses, the rankings will continue to fluctuate based on team performances and key matchups. For now, Louisville and Illinois have certainly made their mark, establishing themselves as forces to be reckoned with in the college basketball landscape.