With the 2025–26 college basketball regular season officially finished, teams now turn their focus to conference tournaments. These games will determine final NCAA Tournament seeding and automatic bids to March Madness.
Several programs enter tournament week red hot, while others are struggling to regain momentum before the biggest games of the year. Below is the latest Top 25 college basketball rankings as of March 6, 2026, highlighting the strongest teams heading into postseason play.
Top 25 College Basketball Teams (March 6, 2026)
| Rank | Team | Record | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duke | 28–2 | Cameron Boozer leading dominant title contender |
| 2 | Arizona | — | Wins over 10 ranked teams |
| 3 | Michigan | — | High-powered offense scoring 89 PPG |
| 4 | UConn | — | Elite defense and balanced roster |
| 5 | Houston | 25–5 | One of the nation’s best defenses |
| 6 | Florida | — | 19–2 run since mid-December |
| 7 | Iowa State | 24–6 | Strong defense but recent slump |
| 8 | Gonzaga | 28–3 | Veteran frontcourt dominating |
| 9 | Kansas | — | Big wins but late-season struggles |
| 10 | Virginia | 26–4 | Finished regular season 10–1 |
| 11 | Purdue | — | Veteran leadership from Loyer and Smith |
| 12 | Nebraska | 25–5 | Started season 20–0 |
| 13 | Michigan State | — | Wins over five ranked teams |
| 14 | Illinois | — | Led by freshman Keaton Wagler |
| 15 | Texas Tech | — | Surviving injury to star JT Toppin |
| 16 | St. John’s | — | Big East dark horse |
| 17 | North Carolina | — | Losing Caleb Wilson hurts title hopes |
| 18 | Alabama | — | Nation’s highest-scoring offense |
| 19 | Miami (OH) | 30–0 | One of the best seasons in program history |
| 20 | Arkansas | — | Freshman backcourt gaining NBA buzz |
| 21 | Saint Mary’s | 27–4 | Elite defense and strong tournament streak |
| 22 | Miami (FL) | 24–6 | Huge turnaround under Jai Lucas |
| 23 | Saint Louis | 27–3 | High-powered offense |
| 24 | Tennessee | 21–9 | Freshman Nate Ament emerging |
| 25 | Vanderbilt | 23–7 | Strong offense but inconsistent lately |
Duke Leads the Rankings
The Duke Blue Devils remain the No. 1 team in the country heading into tournament week.
Freshman star Cameron Boozer has delivered an incredible season, averaging:
- 22.6 points per game
- 10 rebounds per game
- 4 assists per game
Combined with Duke’s elite defense allowing only 62.5 points per game, the Blue Devils are one of the favorites to win the national championship.
Arizona and Michigan Among Title Contenders
Right behind Duke are Arizona and Michigan, both of whom have built strong resumes.
Arizona has been particularly impressive, posting 10 wins against ranked opponents this season. Freshman standout Brayden Burries and NBA prospect Koa Peat lead the Wildcats’ balanced offense.
Michigan, led by Yaxel Lendeborg, has one of the best scoring offenses in the country, averaging 89 points per game.
Florida Heating Up at the Right Time
The defending champions Florida Gators struggled early but have become one of the hottest teams in the country.
Since mid-December, Florida has gone 19–2 with wins over six ranked teams.
Key players fueling the surge include:
- Alex Condon
- Thomas Haugh
- Rueben Chinyelu, who is averaging nearly 12 rebounds per game.
Miami (OH) Making History
One of the most surprising teams in the rankings is Miami (OH).
The RedHawks finished the regular season with a perfect 30–0 record, thanks to a balanced offense that features seven players averaging double figures.
They now enter the MAC Tournament as one of the most intriguing teams heading into March Madness.
Teams Entering the Postseason With Questions
While many teams are surging, several programs are entering conference tournament play with concerns.
Key issues include:
- North Carolina losing star freshman Caleb Wilson for the season
- Kansas dropping four of its last six games
- Iowa State losing four of its final seven contests
- Nebraska cooling off after a 20–0 start
These teams still have championship potential but need strong tournament performances to rebuild momentum.
