Louisville Climbs to No. 10 in Coaches Poll

Louisville moved up one spot to 10th while Kentucky fell out of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll after starting the season 2-0.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Basketball

Louisville Climbs to No. 10 in Coaches Poll

Live Poll

Do you think Louisville is a top-10 college basketball team this season?

The USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll ranked Louisville basketball 10th, up from 11th. Kentucky dropped from 23rd to unranked despite opening the 2026-27 season 2-0.

Why it matters

Louisville's rise and Kentucky's fall reshuffle the national standings early in the season, shaping how both programs are seen before conference play begins.

Louisville is 2-0 after wins over Chattanooga 84-70 and Morehead State 107-57, while Kentucky is 2-0 after wins over Manhattan 85-57 and James Madison 89-80.

The players

Louisville Cardinals

The men's basketball program of the University of Louisville, a long-standing power in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Kentucky Wildcats

The men's basketball program of the University of Kentucky, one of the most decorated programs in NCAA history.

The details

Florida remains the consensus No. 1 team in the poll. Kentucky has dropped two straight games to Kansas, including an 89-84 loss in the 2023 Champions Classic.

Nov. 9, 2026: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll released with Louisville at 10th.
Nov. 10, 2026: Kentucky faces No. 14 Kansas in the Champions Classic at United Center.
Nov. 15, 2026: Louisville plays at Memphis at 1 p.m.

Season Trajectory

The early-season poll movement reflects how the first weeks of voting set the national order before conference play. Louisville's move up and Kentucky's exit from the rankings signal a shift in perceived strength between two Kentucky-based programs.

Fantasy and bracket watchers should note Louisville's climb and Kentucky's absence from the poll, since rankings often shape how games are tracked and discussed. Kentucky's unranked status means its next results carry more weight in reshaping its standing.

The takeaway

Early poll movement is a snapshot, and both teams' next games will show whether these rankings hold. Watching how each program performs against stronger opponents will clarify where they fit.

What happens next

Louisville plays at Memphis on Nov. 15, and Kentucky faces No. 14 Kansas in the Champions Classic on Nov. 10, both of which will test their early rankings.