College Basketball Rankings: CBS Sports shakes up Top 25 and 1 after marquee matchups Tuesday night

Incredible college basketball games are being produced on a nightly basis at the moment. Nonconference matchups bring fans out there moments that feel like March, not November. Tuesday night had a similar vibe, with top teams facing off across the country.

Based on those results, CBS Sports has released its latest top 25 and 1 rankings. Gary Parrish puts together his top 26 teams in college basketball and updates them frequently.

There is plenty of movement throughout, including one team rising five spots. The biggest fall of the week comes in at nine spots due to a true road loss.

1. Purdue Boilermakers

Purdue maintains its top spot in the CBS Sports top 25 and 1, starting out with two wins. Oakland gave them a little more scare than expected but a nice early-season wake-up call for the Boilermakers.

Matt Painter will take his team south on Thursday, walking into Coleman Coliseum. The next rankings will either further solidify Purdue at No. 1 or possibly see them drop a few spots.

2. Houston Cougars

Finding a more consistent team than Houston in recent years would be tough. Even as the program transitioned into the Big 12, wins stack up for head coach Kelvin Sampson.

Thus far, the 2025-2026 season is no different. All eyes are now on a massive nonconference game on Sunday, playing Auburn on a neutral court in Birmingham.

3. BYU Cougars

Three games in, BYU has played to its brand with high-scoring affairs. A lot more attention is on the Cougars this time, though, due to the presence of AJ Dybantsa. The former No. 1 overall player is averaging 18.7 points and 7.0 rebounds early on.

A cross-country flight is on deck, heading to the TD Garden in Boston. UConn waits on the other end, pitting unique opponents against one another.

4. UConn Huskies

Speaking of UConn, they are one spot behind their opponents for Saturday night. Thus far, it’s been nothing but buy games for the Huskies. The heat only begins to ramp up from here.

Three wins mean there is no reason to move Danny Hurley‘s team off the spot. Beating BYU can guarantee UConn gets placed at least at No. 3 in the upcoming edition of the top 25 and 1.

5. Arizona Wildcats

In a season where freshmen are taking over, Arizona can make a great case for having the top one. Koa Peat took Las Vegas by storm in the opener vs. Florida.

Peat will be needed on Friday night in a rivalry game for the Wildcats. An old-school Pac-12 classic gets renewed with UA heading to Pauley Pavilion.

6. Florida Gators

The reigning national championship got knocked down in the season opener, only to get back up. Tuesday was the latest example, getting an in-state rivalry win over the Florida State Seminoles.

Florida still possesses top talent across the sport. CBS Sports certainly continues to believe in them, keeping the Gators at No. 6 in the top 25 and 1.

7. Michigan Wolverines

Michigan caught plenty of eyeballs down the stretch vs. Wake Forest. Dusty May likely walked into his postgame press conference relieved, escaping an upset with an overtime win.

Even so, some upward movement for the Wolverines. Others around them losing means Michigan gets to plant its stake in the seven-hole.

8. Duke Blue Devils

Duke is the second of three straight teams to be moved up one spot. Tuesday night saw them in West Point to play Army on Veterans Day, where Coach K was honored beforehand as well.

The meat of Duke’s nonconference schedule pops up in the upcoming weeks. Tests ahead for an incredible group of freshmen looking to maintain the standard in Durham.

9. Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama produced a shockwave during a college football Saturday, putting some attention on the basketball side of things. Beating St. John’s inside Madison Square Garden will do that — quite an impressive performance from the Crimson Tide.

But as usual, the nonconference schedule does not slow down. Nate Oats has his team running through a gauntlet, facing a slew of ranked teams.

10. Louisville Cardinals

Plenty of juice goes into the Kentucky rivalry, especially when Louisville is on the right track. Pat Kelsey had the building rocking and the Cardinals’ performance only helped.

Louisville now jumps into the top 10, showcasing its potential this season. Not a bad way to start a year full of excitement.

CBS Sports top 25 and 1: Nos. 11-26

11. St. John’s Red Storm
12. UCLA Bruins
13. Illinois Fighting Illini
14. Iowa State Cyclones
15. Gonzaga Bulldogs
16. Texas Tech Red Raiders
17. Kentucky Wildcats
18. Michigan State Spartans
19. Oregon Ducks
20. Arkansas Razorbacks
21. North Carolina Tar Heels
22. Kansas Jayhawks
23. Tennessee Volunteers
24. Auburn Tigers
25. Wisconsin Badgers
26. Ole Miss Rebels