The opening week of conference play sparked major movement across the rankings, headlined by a new No. 1 in the undefeated Michigan Wolverines. Arizona and Iowa State remain firmly in the title conversation, while Nebraska and Vanderbilt continue their historic climbs behind unbeaten starts. On the flip side, narrow escapes and disappointing finishes knocked several teams backward, including Gonzaga, North Carolina, and Louisville. Here’s how the Power 16 stacks up after every team’s first conference test.
1. Michigan Wolverines (13-0)
Michigan is beginning to separate itself from the rest of the country. The Wolverines followed a dominant 112–71 blowout of McNeese State by overwhelming No. 24 USC, 96–66, further cementing their status as the nation’s most imposing team. Powered by a transfer-heavy core, Michigan has overwhelmed opponents with both physicality and pace. Junior forward Morez Johnson Jr. (pictured) anchored the offense this week, consistently controlling the interior with his mobility and finishing ability. The Wolverines’ depth has been equally punishing, with Trey McKenney, Roddy Gayle Jr., LJ Cason, and Will Tschetter all making meaningful contributions. With momentum firmly on their side, Michigan looks poised to continue its dominance as it prepares to face an overmatched Penn State squad on Tuesday.
2. Arizona Wildcats (14-0)
Arizona cruised through its opening week of conference play, dispatching South Dakota State 99–71 before pulling away from Utah in a 97–78 win. The Wildcats’ starting five continues to take shape as a balanced, physical unit, anchored by defensive toughness. Freshman Koa Peat and junior Motiejus Krivas controlled the paint, while freshman Brayden Burries consistently disrupted passing lanes on the perimeter. Arizona’s depth has been equally impactful, with senior forward Tobe Awaka providing steady interior production off the bench. That level of consistency will be critical as the Wildcats prepare for a tougher stretch against Kansas State on Jan. 7 and TCU on Jan. 10.
3. Iowa State Cyclones (14-0)
Iowa State opened conference play in convincing fashion, extending its unbeaten run with an 80–59 victory over West Virginia. The Cyclones’ frontcourt tandem continues to set the tone, as junior Milan Momcilovic and senior Joshua Jefferson remain one of the most effective pairings in the country. Momcilovic’s elite three-point shooting stretches defenses, while Jefferson’s natural point-forward instincts keep the offense flowing. Together, they form a highly efficient offensive engine. Iowa State will look to carry that momentum into a challenging upcoming slate against Baylor and Oklahoma State.
4. UConn Huskies (14-1)
UConn has been in cruise control since its lone loss to Arizona, consistently looking a tier above the rest of its conference competition. That separation was reinforced this week with convincing wins over Xavier (90–67) and Marquette (73–57). A key driver of that success has been junior guard Solo Ball, whose recent surge in scoring efficiency has added another dynamic layer to the offense. Powered by his elite perimeter shooting, senior forward Alex Karaban continues to excel as a high-level two-way presence. The Huskies will lean on that duo as they prepare for upcoming matchups against Providence on Jan. 7 and DePaul on Jan. 10.
5. Duke Blue Devils (13-1)
Duke opened conference play with a pair of narrow escapes, surviving early scares against Georgia Tech (85–79) and Florida State (91–87). While the Blue Devils showed some late-game shakiness, individual growth has been encouraging. Sophomore guard Isaiah Evans has found his rhythm as a shooter to begin ACC play, while freshman big Cameron Boozer has continued to produce at a high level without missing a beat. Freshman guards Cayden Boozer and Dame Sarr have also flashed the ability to provide steady contributions. There is still a learning curve for this young roster, and it will be tested quickly with a matchup against No. 16 Louisville on Jan. 6.
6. Purdue Boilermakers (13-1)
Purdue continued its strong run with a dominant 101–60 victory over Kent State before opening conference play with a statement 89–73 win over Wisconsin. That game carried historic significance, as senior guard Braden Smith broke the Big Ten’s career assist record while orchestrating the offense with his usual poise. The Boilermakers’ veteran core has been especially steady, with Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn all producing at a high level. Purdue has also benefited from meaningful bench contributions, as sophomore big Daniel Jacobsen and freshman guard Jack Benter have provided valuable minutes. That depth will be crucial as the Boilermakers push further into Big Ten play against Washington and Penn State this week.
7. Nebraska Cornhuskers (14-0)
Nebraska delivered another statement week, handling New Hampshire before stunning No. 9 Michigan State with a gritty 58–56 victory to keep its historic unbeaten start intact. The Cornhuskers continue to thrive under a father-son pairing built for the moment, with head coach [Coach: Fred Hoiberg] and senior guard Sam Hoiberg leading the charge. Up front, senior big Rienk Mast provides valuable floor spacing, while the frontcourt depth, headlined by junior Pryce Sandfort and freshman Braden Frager, has consistently risen to the occasion in high-leverage situations. Nebraska is firmly establishing itself as a legitimate Big Ten threat and will look to keep its momentum rolling against Ohio State tonight and Indiana on Saturday.
8. Houston Cougars (13-1)
The Cougars survived two scares this past week after narrow victories over Middle Tennessee State (69-60) and Cincinnati (67-60). Freshman guard Kingston Flemings carried the load, creating opportunities for himself and others while disrupting the opponent’s rhythm. However, senior guard Emanuel Sharp provided a limited offensive spark. Fellow senior guard Milos Uzan was able to fill Sharp’s void, giving the Cougars improved efficiency from deep. Although Houston has pulled through in these games, their offensive floor looks to be a concern as they prepare for their Jan. 6 matchup against No. 15 Texas Tech followed by Baylor on Jan. 10.
9. BYU Cougars (13-1)
BYU capitalized on a lighter week to open conference play with a controlled 83–73 win over Kansas State. Freshman star AJ Dybantsa had some issues protecting the ball, but his scoring production remained steady. Senior big Keba Keita was instrumental on the interior, creating extra possessions by controlling both ends of the glass. While there are still some offensive inconsistencies, the steady contributions of Robert Wright III and Richie Saunders have been enough to effectively complement BYU’s emerging star. The Cougars will look to raise their level as they prepare for upcoming matchups against Arizona State and Utah this week.
10. Gonzaga Bulldogs (15-1)
Gonzaga’s recent results have highlighted some growing concerns with consistency, despite wins over San Diego (99–93) and Seattle (80–72). The frontcourt pairing of Braden Huff and Graham Ike has remained a steady constant, anchoring the Bulldogs on both ends of the floor. Tyon Grant-Foster has also adjusted seamlessly to his role off the bench, providing a reliable spark. Beyond that core, however, production has dipped. Senior forward Jalen Warley and freshman guard Mario Saint-Supery have shown flashes off the bench but have struggled to deliver sustained impact. Gonzaga will need to rediscover its peak efficiency when it faces Santa Clara on Jan. 8.
11. Michigan State Spartans (12-2)
Michigan State opened the week with an offensive showcase, rolling past Cornell in a 114–97 win, but momentum stalled with a disappointing loss to Nebraska. The contrast was stark. The Spartans’ depth was evident against Cornell, yet it failed to translate in a high-level conference matchup. Senior forward Jaxon Kohler continues to provide value with his stretch-four skill set, helping space the floor offensively. Conversely, Jeremy Fears Jr. struggled to control the game against Nebraska, committing a season-high number of turnovers and failing to dictate tempo. He will need to rebound quickly and rediscover his form from last Monday as No. 24 USC visits tonight.
12. Vanderbilt Commodores (14-0)
Vanderbilt used a dominant 96–53 win over New Haven as an ideal tune-up before securing its first conference victory with an 83–71 win over South Carolina. Sophomore guard Tyler Tanner continued his strong play, efficiently orchestrating the offense while consistently earning trips to the free throw line. With Duke Miles sidelined, the scoring versatility of senior forwards Tyler Nickel and AK Okereke became especially important, giving the Commodores reliable production on the offensive end. Vanderbilt will look for that trio to rise to the occasion as it faces its first major test in a Jan. 7 matchup against No. 14 Alabama.
13. North Carolina Tar Heels (13-2)
North Carolina opened the week with a steady 79–66 win over Florida State, but momentum faded with a 97–83 loss to SMU to close the stretch. The Tar Heels struggled to contain Boopie Miller, as defensive breakdowns in the second half allowed SMU to pull away. Freshman forward Caleb Wilson endured his first truly challenging outing as a starter, while junior transfer Kyan Evans was unable to sustain the shooting rhythm he showed in his best performance with the program. One consistent bright spot has been senior guard Seth Trimble, who has delivered impactful production since returning from injury. North Carolina will need Trimble to continue elevating both his play and his teammates as it prepares to face Wake Forest on Jan. 10.
14. Arkansas Razorbacks (11-3)
Arkansas carried strong momentum into conference play, dismantling James Madison 103–74 before following it up with an 86–75 win over No. 19 Tennessee. While the Razorbacks leaned on balanced production earlier in the season, this week’s success was driven largely by their freshman backcourt. Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas took control offensively, with both guards thriving from beyond the arc as their on-court chemistry continues to click. Arkansas will need to lean into that offensive upside as SEC play intensifies, with Ole Miss and Auburn up next.
15. Texas Tech Red Raiders (11-3)
Texas Tech continued its strong run with a statement 102–80 win over Oklahoma State, carrying over the confidence gained from its narrow victory over No. 3 Duke. Junior forward JT Toppin has emerged as a consistent double-double threat, anchoring the Red Raiders on both ends of the floor. Sophomore guard Christian Anderson has taken a major step forward as well, standing out as one of the nation’s most improved players with his scoring efficiency and playmaking growth. Complementary contributors LeJuan Watts and Donovan Atwell have also made meaningful impacts within the rotation. Texas Tech will look to sustain that momentum in a monumental Jan. 6 matchup against No. 8 Houston.
16. Alabama Crimson Tide (11-3)
Alabama sustained its offensive surge with a 102–78 win over Yale before opening conference play with a pivotal 89–74 victory over Kentucky. Junior guard Aden Holloway and senior guard Houston Mallette sparked the attack from long range, helping offset three-point struggles from Labaron Philon Jr. and Latrell Wrightsell. The Crimson Tide’s frontcourt depth has also emerged as a strength, with freshman Amari Allen and senior Noah Williamson stepping up to compensate for the absence of Taylor Bol-Bowen and Aiden Sherrell. With momentum building, Alabama has a clear path back into the national conversation as it prepares to face No. 11 Vanderbilt on Wednesday.
Next Five: Illinois (11-3), Louisville (11-3), Tennessee (10-4), Iowa (12-2), Georgia (13-1)
Players of the Week
Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan
After transferring from Illinois ahead of his sophomore season, Johnson Jr. has quickly emerged as a dominant interior presence in his Michigan debut. He followed a season-high 24-point outing against McNeese State by surpassing it with a career performance: 29 points, six rebounds, and two steals on an ultra-efficient 10-of-12 shooting from the field. Playing alongside fellow transfers Aday Mara and Yaxel Lendeborg, the added balance has taken pressure off Johnson Jr., allowing him to thrive as a focal point in the Wolverines’ frontcourt.
Aden Holloway, Alabama
Holloway delivered an explosive scoring week, pouring in 26 points in each game while knocking down 11-of-18 attempts from beyond the arc across the two outings. As he heats up, Alabama’s offensive ceiling continues to rise. Long known as an elite perimeter shooter, Holloway has shown notable growth as a facilitator in his junior season, giving the Crimson Tide a dependable secondary ball handler. That evolution proved especially valuable in maintaining offensive flow without Philon Jr. against Yale.
Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
Stirtz’s transfer from Drake has paid immediate dividends for Iowa, and his play this week underscored his impact. He posted back-to-back standout performances with 22 points, eight assists, and two steals against UMass Lowell, followed by 27 points, four rebounds, five assists, and two steals versus UCLA. Stirtz found his rhythm from deep, connecting on 4-of-6 three-point attempts against the Bruins. His blend of elite court vision and highly efficient scoring has made Iowa a difficult matchup on a nightly basis.
Meleek Thomas, Arkansas
Thomas entered the season with some early inconsistency, particularly in shooting efficiency, but delivered a productive week as conference play began. He erupted for 28 points on 8-of-16 shooting and 6-of-10 from three against James Madison, then followed with 18 points and three steals versus Tennessee. While efficiency remains a work in progress, Arkansas continues to rely on Thomas’s shooting punch off the bench, and his on-court chemistry with Darius Acuff Jr. has steadily strengthened.
Boopie Miller, SMU
Miller has been the engine behind SMU’s impressive 12–2 start, highlighted by a statement win over North Carolina. In that upset, he totaled 27 points on 10-of-13 shooting, added three triples on five attempts, and dished out 12 assists to consistently create advantages for teammates. After battling inefficiency in his first season with the Mustangs, Miller has taken a major step forward as a versatile scoring playmaker, guiding SMU into uncharted territory this season.
Play of the Week:
Boopie Miller Ankle Breaker vs North Carolina
https://x.com/TheCW_Sports/status/2007552449641660483
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