UCLA, Virginia Rise in AP Poll

Florida held the No. 1 seed in the first regular-season AP poll released Monday, but the rest of the college basketball landscape shifted sharply after opening-week upsets. Arizona and Arkansas, both preseason top-10 teams, suffered their first losses of the 2026-27 season and dropped out of the top 10 in response. UCLA and Virginia capitalized on those defeats to become the largest risers in the rankings.

Arizona, which did not lose until February of last season, fell seven spots to No. 12 after falling to UCLA in the season opener in Las Vegas. The Bruins moved up 13 positions to No. 9 following wins over Arizona and North Florida. Freshman Nikola Kusturica led the way against North Florida, scoring 29 points while adding six rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in a 114-63 victory.

Virginia climbed three spots to No. 6 after defeating Arkansas. The Cavaliers posted a balanced attack, with all five starters recording at least 13 points. The loss cost John Calipari’s Arkansas Razorbacks seven places, dropping them to No. 19. Memphis also gained momentum, receiving 97 points from voters despite remaining unranked, while Saint Louis followed with 67 points after defeating Missouri without key player Robbie Avila.

Iowa State became the only team to exit the top 25 entirely. The Cyclones, who were double-digit favorites, lost on opening night to Memphis. Nebraska took Iowa State’s spot at No. 25. Tennessee, the only ranked team to lose ground without a loss, slid three places to No. 11. Voters cited underwhelming preseason play and the surge of teams below them as reasons for the slide.

The current top five standings place Florida at No. 1, with the remaining top four slots occupied by teams that held or improved their preseason positions. The poll includes total points based on a 25-point scale for first-place votes down to one point for 25th. Teams also receiving votes include North Carolina, Iowa, Baylor, and TCU, all of which sit just outside the top 25.

UCLA’s next major test comes as the program seeks to solidify its new ranking. Virginia is scheduled to face Kentucky, its next ranked opponent. Tennessee looks to the Nov. 17 game against Michigan State as a chance to rebound. A victory in that contest would likely push the Vols back into the top 10, according to analysts tracking the movement.