Arizona Wildcats Inch Back Toward Top in Latest AP Poll

The Wildcats rebounded from a two-loss week to jump up to #2 in the new rankings.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 1:20pm

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The Arizona Wildcats have rebounded from a disappointing two-loss week, jumping up two spots to #2 in the latest AP Poll. Despite playing without standout freshman Koa Peat and with guard Brayden Burries battling illness, the Wildcats earned impressive wins over BYU and Houston to re-establish themselves as a top contender. The Big 12 conference has seen significant movement in the rankings, with Iowa State jumping to #4 and Houston falling to #5 after losing to Arizona.

Why it matters

Arizona's ability to bounce back from a tough week and climb back up the rankings shows their resilience and proves they are still a force to be reckoned with in college basketball. The Wildcats' remaining regular season schedule is daunting, but they have demonstrated they can handle the pressure of beating high-quality opponents in the competitive Big 12 conference.

The details

After seeing their weeks-long run at the top of the poll come to an end last week, the Wildcats jumped up two spots from #4 to #2 in the newest update. Arizona received 5 first-place votes, still far behind #1 Duke who received 56. The Wildcats were without standout freshman Koa Peat in both the BYU and Houston games due to injury, and guard Brayden Burries played through illness, but the team still managed to earn impressive wins.

  • On February 18, the Wildcats defeated BYU.
  • On February 21, the Wildcats defeated Houston.

The players

Koa Peat

A standout freshman for the Wildcats, averaging 13.8 points per game and shooting 54% from the floor and 33% from three-point range.

Brayden Burries

A Wildcats guard who played through illness in the BYU and Houston games, scoring just 11 and 7 points respectively.

Ivan Kharchenkov

A Wildcats player who had notable performances to help the team earn their big wins.

Anthony Dell'Orso

A Wildcats player who had notable performances to help the team earn their big wins.

Duke

The #1 ranked team in the latest AP Poll, receiving 56 first-place votes.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Wildcats' remaining regular season schedule is as follows: Away at Baylor, Home vs. #14 Kansas, Home vs. #4 Iowa State, Away at Colorado. The Wildcats will certainly be well-tested heading into Selection Sunday, where they hope to earn a top seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Arizona's ability to bounce back from a tough week and climb back up the rankings shows their resilience and proves they are still a top contender in college basketball. Despite injuries and illness, the Wildcats have demonstrated they can handle the pressure of the competitive Big 12 conference and are poised for a strong finish to the regular season and a deep NCAA Tournament run.