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Michigan basketball makes big jump in AP top 25

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•02/17/25•

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Dusty May
Michigan Wolverines basketball head coach Dusty May has led a turnaround in his first season. (Photo by Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images)

Michigan Wolverines basketball has moved up in the Associated Press top 25 following yet another 2-0 week and amidst a six-game win streak. The Maize and Blue were No. 20 last week and have soared to No. 12 in the Feb. 17 release. Michigan is also No. 12 in the coaches poll.

First-year head coach Dusty May‘s group is 20-5 overall and 12-2 in Big Ten play, sitting atop the conference standings with six regular-season contests left. Michigan State (11-3 in the Big Ten), Purdue (11-4), Wisconsin (10-4), Maryland (10-5) and UCLA (10-5) all remain in the mix for the regular-season Big Ten crown.

Michigan went 2-0 last week, beating Purdue (75-73) and Ohio State (86-83). Both were Quad 1 wins, helping boost the team’s seeding in the NCAA Tournament. On Saturday, prior to Michigan beating Ohio State the following day, the selection committee released their early top-16 reveal, and the Maize and Blue checked in as a No. 4 seed and the No. 14 overall team in the nation.

The Maize and Blue will take on Michigan State Friday night at Crisler Center, before a quick turnaround with a Monday contest at Nebraska.

Michigan’s last seven wins have come by four points or fewer, though a few of them weren’t as close as the final score indicated. The Wolverines just continue to find ways to win close.

“We played a challenging schedule early, when we were still trying to figure ourselves out, and they didn’t go well,” May noted. “One game, we slipped and fell twice and gave up pick-six layups — some bad fortune. But we didn’t drop our heads, we didn’t point fingers, we didn’t place blame. We all just came together to try to find the solution to get better and win those games going forward. And so I think that experience … but more importantly the character in our locker room is the biggest reason.”

Michigan has beaten two teams that are currently ranked in the AP poll: No. 11 Wisconsin in Madison and No. 13 Purdue in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines lost the first meeting against Purdue.

Michigan can add to that tally in the games ahead, with matchup against two ranked opponents down the stretch: No. 14 Michigan State (Feb. 21, March 9) and No. 20 Maryland (March 5).

College basketball AP poll: Michigan ranked No. 20

1. Auburn (23-2)
2. Florida (22-3)
3. Duke (22-3)
4. Alabama (21-4)
5. Houston (21-4)
6. Tennessee (21-5)
7. Texas A&M (20-5)
8. Iowa State (20-5)
9. Texas Tech (20-5)
10. St. John’s (22-4)
11. Wisconsin (20-5)
12. Michigan (20-5)
13. Purdue (19-7)
14. Michigan State (20-5)
15. Missouri (19-6)
16. Marquette (19-6)
17. Kentucky (17-8)
18. Clemson (21-5)
19. Arizona (17-8)
20. Maryland (20-6)
21. Mississippi State (18-7)
22. Memphis (21-5)
23. Kansas (17-8)
24. Ole Miss (19-7)
25. Louisville (20-6)

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