College Basketball Rankings: ESPN releases updated BPI Top 25 after big college hoops weekend

ESPN updated its BPI Top 25 rankings following a big weekend in college basketball and the release of the latest polls.

ESPN has its own metrics, such as strength of schedule, offensive and defensive rankings, and chances to win a conference. With that, the latest rankings are here.

Let’s dive into ESPN’s latest top 25 in college basketball, via the BPI (Basketball Power Index).

1. Houston (+2)

Houston is the top team, according to the BPI. The Cougars are now 11-3 overall, but ranked No. 12 in the AP Poll.

Houston knocked off TCU Monday night, 65-46. With that, it’s their sixth win in a row and the Cougars definitely started 2025 in a positive way.

2. Duke

Duke is coming off an 89-62 win over SMU over the weekend to improve to 12-2 on the season. In this latest BPI update, the Blue Devils stood pat.

Coming up, Duke has games against Pitt, Notre Dame and Miami, all at home. Expect the Blue Devils to keep rolling here.

3. Auburn (-2)

Auburn is 13-1 but dropped two spots in the BPI. That’s despite a six-game winning streak but ESPN has its metrics.

Auburn beat Missouri 84-68 over the weekend and is ready for another SEC showdown coming up Tuesday night. They’ll head to Texas to take on the Longhorns.

4. Tennessee

Tennessee is No. 1 in the AP Poll but just No. 4 in the BPI rankings from ESPN. This team is 14-0 following a 76-52 win over a ranked Arkansas squad.

Next up is a trip to Florida against the Gators, who have just one loss this season. If the Vols win this one, you’d be hard pressed to not see Tennessee move up this list.

5. Kansas

Kansas took down UCF 99-48 on Sunday, improving to 10-3 on the season. The Jayhawks did not move in this latest edition of the BPI rankings.

Talk about bouncing back from an upset loss to West Virginia. What a performance from Kansas. Next up is a Wednesday game at home vs. Arizona State

6. Iowa State

Iowa State is rolling at 12-1, fresh off a win over Baylor. The dominating affair ended 74-55 over the No. 25 ranked team, per the AP, in the country.

The Cyclones didn’t move in this latest BPI update though. Iowa State won’t see a ranked opponent until Kansas on January 15th.

7. Alabama

Alabama has won six games in a row, which included a ranked win this past weekend over Oklahoma. And the Crimson Tide handled them, 107-79.

Bama didn’t move in the BPI rankings though. Next up is South Carolina on Wednesday on the road and a ranked matchup on January 11th at Texas A&M.

8. Gonzaga

Gonzaga is now 12-4 on the season after the weekend but stayed at No. 8 in the BPI. The Bulldogs are winners of three in a row. 

However, as it stands of course, Gonzaga does not have an AP ranked team remaining on the schedule. In fact, as BPI ranks it, Gonzaga’s strength of schedule is 109th, as far as remaining opponents.

9. Arizona

Despite the 8-5 record, Arizona is still in the top 10 of the BPI. The Wildcats have also won four games in a row following five losses in seven games.

Their remaining strength of schedule is 28th and are still projected to win 20+ games per ESPN’s metrics. Maybe there’s something to it!

10. Illinois (+1)

Illinois moved up into the top 10 of the ESPN BPI and are 11-3 on the season. The Fighting Illini have won four games in a row.

Illinois has Penn State, USC and Indiana coming up before a road date with a ranked Michigan State team. Expect them to be favored moving forward.

ESPN updates BPI Top 25 rankings

11. UConn (-1)
12. Marquette (+3)
13. Baylor (-1)
14. Texas A&M (+2)
15. Florida (-2)
16. Kentucky (+2)
17. Purdue (+10)
18. Texas Tech (-4)
19. Michigan (+2)
20. Michigan State (+3)
21. Cincinnati (-2)
22. Mississippi State (+6)
23. Texas (-6)
24. Maryland (-4)
25. North Carolina (-3)