Midway Through the 2025-26 College Basketball Season

As we reach the halfway mark of the 2025-26 college basketball season, it’s still too early to predict who will celebrate come April. However, we can certainly highlight eight teams that stand out at this point.

While there have been a few mild upsets in recent weeks, the Michigan Wolverines have truly emerged as a dominant force in college basketball this year.

Dusty May’s team made history on January 2nd by being the first squad to defeat three differently ranked opponents by over 30 points. To date, they boast ten victories by 20 points or more and have won eight of those by at least 30 points, with six of them by 40 and even one by 50 points.

The University of Michigan leads the pack with the best defense overall. Star players like Jaxel Lendeborg, impressive freshman Mores Johnson, the versatile Aday Mara, and seasoned veteran Elliott Cadeau create a formidable lineup.

This combination positions them well for what many hope will be a second national title for the program.

However, while Michigan is a strong contender, they are not the top team at the moment—that title belongs to the undefeated Arizona Wildcats, who have a strong case for the best record in the nation.

With an 18-0 record, the Wildcats are 7-0 in Quad I games and are on track to maintain an undefeated streak leading into a crucial matchup against BYU on January 26.

Interestingly, during a time when three-point shooting seems to dominate the game, Arizona has found success while largely bypassing the perimeter. So far, only two teams in Division I have made fewer three-pointers than they have.

Despite their unconventional approach, Arizona’s style is enjoyable to watch. They excel at grabbing rebounds, taking high-percentage shots, and showcasing a smooth half-court offense. Koa Pete, Brayden Burries, Jaden Bradley, and Motijous Krivas (with the entertaining Toby Awaka) contribute to their dynamic play. Their ability to consistently make more free throws than their opponents is a less glamorous statistic but still important.

Meanwhile, the Houston Cougars are trying to rebound after a season-ending heartbreak, just missing out on their first national title last year. Kelvin Sampson’s squad has the capability to return to that level of play as they move forward.

The only blemish on their record is a close loss to Tennessee, but they’ve bounced back with eleven consecutive wins. A critical stretch of games against Iowa State, Kansas State, and Arizona State in mid-February will likely reveal their true title contention status as March approaches.

This team holds some star power with players like Emmanuel Sharpe, Milos Uzan, and freshman Kingston Flemings. Plus, Joseph Tagler’s defensive prowess stands out, and with a coaching team that’s among the best, many believe Houston is finally poised to earn the recognition they seek.

After winning back-to-back championships, the Connecticut Huskies didn’t seem to have the same promise last season. Yet, Dan Hurley proved the doubters wrong.

UConn finished the first half at 18-1, losing just once to Arizona while their leading scorer was sidelined. Since then, they’ve gone on to win 14 straight games against solid teams like Illinois and Kansas, giving them hope for another title run.

Overall, although they might not be as dominant as in previous seasons, there’s still potential for UConn to lift the trophy again.

Purdue may not be the powerhouse many anticipated, but they remain in the hunt with their one loss being particularly rough—an embarrassing 23-point defeat at home to Iowa State. However, it’s worth noting that, despite their easier non-conference slate, they still have a chance to prove themselves as they tackle the demanding Big Ten schedule ahead.

We always thought Purdue was a top offensive team, and it seems that’s still true. Braden Smith has been performing up to expectations, and the addition of Oscar Clough appears to be addressing their defense woes.

It’s easy for teams to have off nights. Purdue certainly did on December 6th, but that doesn’t mean they’ll struggle in March.

The Blue Devils are certainly worthy of mention in this conversation.

They’ve got a standout player who’s making waves—Cam Boozer—exceeding many expectations. Head coach John Scheyer has already led Duke to the finals before, and perhaps what he learned from last year’s close defeat to Houston will help him overcome similar challenges this year.

With an elite shooter like Isaiah Evans and solid veterans like Caleb Foster and Caden Boozer, plus Dame Searle who has potential to surprise, Duke looks set to be a formidable contender.

No team epitomizes modern basketball quite like the Illini. With talented players who’ve played professionally overseas, Kylan Boswell’s return gives them depth, and they’ve brought in standouts through the transfer portal, adding fresh talent like Keaton Wagler.

It’s a team that seems to thrive on sharing the ball and shooting, with a notable physical presence.

Defensively, they’re solid but not too impressive. Unfortunately, no one finds it easy to defend against the Illini, which is a good sign of their contender status.

Now, I know fans of teams like Iowa State, BYU, and Gonzaga might be feeling a bit overlooked. And, well, that’s tough to hear. Iowa State should probably be next in line, followed by the Cougars.

As for Florida, I’m maintaining their spot on this list due to their considerable potential and gradual improvements. Plus, their frontcourt seems to be among the most complete in college basketball.

But there’s no denying that the backcourt has its challenges. While Boogie Frand is improving, Xavien Lee is having a tougher time, and Urban Kravsaal just isn’t standing out either. There’s a lot needed from them if they want to repeat as champions.

Currently, Florida is on a four-game winning streak, including a solid victory against Tennessee and a surprising win over top-10 Vanderbilt. Their losses have been tight, with significant matches against strong teams. Thomas Ho is playing like he’s destined for first-team All-American status, and Alex Condon and Ruben Chiniel are right there with him.

All in all, there’s still hope for the Gators.