UCLA Climbs Into Top 10 of AP Poll
The Bruins jumped to No. 9 after beating Arizona 84-75 in Las Vegas, while Florida held the top spot in the first regular-season AP Top 25 men's basketball poll.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Basketball
UCLA moved into the top 10 of the AP Top 25 men's college basketball poll, climbing to No. 9 from No. 22 in the preseason rankings after an 84-75 win over Arizona in Las Vegas. Florida remained No. 1, receiving 53 of 60 first-place votes from the national media panel.
Why it matters
The poll reshuffle reflects early-season results and sets the rankings that shape postseason perception and seeding conversations. UCLA's rise and Michigan State's move to No. 5 signal how quickly the top of the national field is changing.
Trent Perry scored 21 points for UCLA in its 84-75 win, while Arizona's Ivan Kharchenkov posted a career-best 38 points in the loss. UCLA moved from No. 22 in the preseason poll to No. 9, its highest ranking since the final poll of the 2022-23 season.
The players
UCLA Bruins
The University of California, Los Angeles men's basketball program, a longtime power in the Pac-12 and now competing in the Big Ten, rose to No. 9 in the AP poll.
Florida Gators
The University of Florida men's basketball program held the No. 1 spot in the first regular-season AP Top 25 poll of the season.
Arizona Wildcats
The University of Arizona men's basketball program dropped seven spots to No. 12 after losing to UCLA in Las Vegas.
The details
UCLA defeated Arizona 84-75 in Las Vegas after Arizona got within a point with 3:11 left in the game. Arizona dropped seven spots to No. 12, while Virginia rose three spots to No. 6 after a trio of wins last week, including a victory over then-No. 12 Arkansas.
Timeline
Friday night: UConn beat Michigan in an NCAA championship game rematch, lifting UConn to No. 4.
A week before the Monday poll: UCLA defeated Arizona in its opener.
Monday, November 9, 2026: The AP Top 25 men's basketball poll was released.
Tuesday night, November 10, 2026: Florida plays Florida State and Kentucky plays Kansas.
Season Trajectory
UCLA's jump to No. 9 is its highest ranking since the final AP poll of the 2022-23 season, a level it had not reached in the intervening years. The early-season reshuffle, with Florida at No. 1 and Michigan State at No. 5, sets the rankings that will shape the conference and national race.
Tuesday's Florida-Florida State and Kentucky-Kansas games could move teams in the next poll, affecting how fantasy and bracket watchers rank the top programs. Kentucky's game also means the Wildcats are one week away from becoming the first program ranked in the AP poll for 1,000 weeks.
The takeaway
Early rankings are volatile, and a single win over a ranked opponent can move a program more than 10 spots, so the poll is best read as a snapshot rather than a verdict. Watch the Tuesday results to see whether UCLA's climb holds.
What happens next
Florida plays Florida State and Kentucky plays Kansas on Tuesday night, November 10, 2026, which could reshape the next AP poll.
Further reading
For more on the season's national picture, see our Basketball coverage.
