Men's basketball AP poll: What happens to Nebraska after back-to-back losses?

Nothing has changed at the top of the national rankings yet again, but Nebraska’s rise has taken a big hit.

Here’s everything you missed in the 13th week of the regular season, and the latest Associated Press poll.

What happens now for Nebraska?

Well, the dream run for the Cornhuskers is over.

Nebraska entered last week as one of just three undefeated teams left in the country after a program-best 20 straight wins to open the season. That all came crashing down.

Michigan snuck past Nebraska 75-72 on Tuesday, thanks to a huge layup from Trey McKenney down the stretch that finally allowed the Wolverines to pull away for good. Illinois then pulled away in the second half to grab a 78-69 win in Lincoln on Sunday, avenging an earlier loss at home. That marked Nebraska’s second straight loss.

As a result, the Huskers dropped four spots down to No. 9 in this week’s poll.

The top four spots in the poll this week were largely unchanged. Arizona held onto No. 1 after reaching 22-0, which made it one of just two undefeated teams left. No. 22 Miami (Ohio) is the other. Michigan jumped UConn into No. 2 after its win over Nebraska, and then Duke held on at No. 4.

Illinois moved up four to No. 5 after its win at Nebraska, which marked its highest ranking since 2020.

While it’d be easy to just write Nebraska off based on the program’s history, we’ll learn a lot about the team over the next two weeks. The Huskers will travel to Rutgers later this week before hosting No. 12 Purdue next week — which marks their last ranked matchup of the season. A win over the Boilermakers is critical to proving they belong in the conversation at the top of the Big Ten race. Fair or not, another quick loss opens the door there immediately with the tournament right around the corner.

Is Kansas back on track?

It might be time to start taking Kansas seriously as a threat to win the Big 12 again.

The Jayhawks, after a few rough losses earlier this season, rolled past A.J. Dybantsa and BYU on Saturday in what was their fifth straight win. A blowout win over then-No. 2 Iowa State started that win streak, too.

The Jayhawks now sit at 16-5 on the season and moved up three spots to No. 11 in this week’s poll ahead of Monday night’s matchup with No. 13 Texas Tech.

But a lot of Kansas’ success hinges on star Darryn Peterson, who dropped 18 points in 20 minutes against the Cougars before leaving early in the second half due to apparent cramps. That game was just his 11th of the season due to injury.

This final stretch isn’t going to be easy, either. Kansas will have to take on Arizona twice, No. 7 Iowa State again in Ames and No. 8 Houston all before the end of the season next month. If Peterson isn’t available, or simply not at full strength, it may be hard for the Jayhawks to actually ride this momentum they’ve built over the last two weeks.

But Kansas is back in position. After the start it had, that’s all it could ask for at this point in the season.

Games to watch this week

All times ET | * denotes neutral site

Monday, Feb. 2

No. 11 Kansas at No. 13 Texas Tech | 9 p.m. | ESPN

Tuesday, Feb. 3

No. 22 Miami (OH) at Buffalo | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN+

Friday, Feb. 6

No. 3 UConn at No. 22 St. John’s | 8 p.m. | Fox

Saturday, Feb. 7

No. 4 Duke at No. 14 North Carolina | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN
No. 5 Illinois at No. 10 Michigan State | 8 p.m. | Fox
No. 8 Houston at No. 16 BYU | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN

AP Top 25

The full Associated Press men’s basketball poll from February 2, 2026.

1. Arizona (22-0)
2. Michigan (20-1)
3. UConn (21-1)
4. Duke (20-1)
5. Illinois (19-3)
6. Gonzaga (22-1)
7. Iowa State (20-2)
8. Houston (19-2)
9. Nebraska (20-2)
10. Michigan State (19-3)
11. Kansas (16-5)
12. Purdue (18-4)
13. Texas Tech (16-5)
14. North Carolina (17-4)
15. Vanderbilt (19-3)
16. BYU (17-4)
17. Florida (16-6)
18. Virginia (18-3)
19. Saint Louis (21-1)
20. Clemson (18-4)
21. Arkansas (16-6)
22. St. John’s (16-5)
23. Miami (OH) (22-0)
24. Louisville (15-6)
25. Tennessee (15-6)

Others receiving votes: Texas A&M 83, Alabama 48, Iowa 39, UCF 39, Kentucky 28, Villanova 15, NC State 9, Auburn 8, Utah State 6, Miami 4, Georgia 3, Santa Clara 1, George Mason 1, Wisconsin 1

Men’s basketball AP poll: What happens to Nebraska after back-to-back losses?

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