The Michigan Wolverines are the top team in the college basketball AP Top-25 Poll for the first time in more than ten years. The Wolverines passed Arizona in the week 15 poll after Arizona lost a game to Texas Tech this week.
Having now won 10 games in a row, the University of Michigan has been ranked among the top five for 11 consecutive weeks, most of which have been at No. 2.
In the survey, the Wolverines received 60 of the 61 first-place votes. The top five of the rankings were completed by Houston, Duke, Arizona, and UConn.
Looking back
This week, the Maize and Blue team won two games, defeating Northwestern 87-75 on Wednesday (Feb. 11) and UCLA 86-56 on Saturday (Feb. 14).
The Wolverines were losing by double digits against the Wildcats and seemed to be in trouble. However, a strong late-game performance and a career night from L. J. Cason helped lead UofM to a double-digit win. With 18 points, three assists, and four steals, Cason concluded.
On Valentine’s Day, Michigan continued with a 30-point win against UCLA. With 13 points and eight boards, Yaxel Lendeborg spearheaded the attack, while Cason had another impressive performance.
The AP Poll and Michigan
The Wolverines were ranked second in the nation for four weeks earlier this season (weeks 6–9). They only missed beating Arizona for the top spot by three votes in week nine, when they had 29 first-place votes. The Wolverines have returned to the second spot in the rankings for two consecutive weeks leading up to this week.
The highest they have ever been ranked prior to this season was No. 2, which they held in week 15 of the 2021–22 season.
Since the Wolverines made it to the National Championship in 2013 but lost to Louisville, this is the first time the program has been ranked No. 1 since January 28, 2013.
Looking ahead
With two challenging games on the schedule, it’s a big week for Michigan. Prior to facing Duke on Saturday (February 21) at 6:30 p. m. , UofM will go to Purdue on Tuesday.
