College Basketball

The 2026–27 college basketball season is barely a week old, but the race toward March Madness is already heating up! Traditional powerhouses are flexing their muscles, unexpected contenders are making noise, and several highly ranked programs have received an early reality check.
The Powerhouses Are Looking Strong: Florida, Duke, Illinois, and UConn continue to lead the national championship conversation, holding the top four spots in the latest AP rankings. Florida remains No. 1 after an impressive victory over Miami, while UConn delivered a statement win over defending national champion Michigan. Illinois and Duke remain firmly positioned among the teams to beat. Michigan State and Virginia are also gaining momentum. Virginia's convincing 91–72 victory over Arkansas helped propel the Cavaliers to No. 6 nationally, while Michigan State climbed to No. 5.
Early Surprises: UCLA and Memphis Make Their Move: UCLA has delivered one of the season's biggest statements, upsetting Arizona 84–75 and jumping 13 spots to No. 9 nationally. The Bruins suddenly look like legitimate contenders capable of making a deep NCAA Tournament run. Memphis is another team turning heads. The Tigers opened with victories over ranked Iowa State and VCU, providing an early indication that Penny Hardaway's revamped squad could become a dangerous March Madness opponent.
Disappointing Starts Raise Questions: Not everyone is celebrating. Arizona dropped from No. 5 to No. 12 following its opening-night loss to UCLA, while Arkansas tumbled seven spots after being overwhelmed by Virginia. Purdue may be the biggest early disappointment. The Boilermakers opened 0–2, including a stunning double-overtime home loss to Valparaiso. Meanwhile, Iowa State fell out of the Top 25 after losing to Memphis. There's plenty of basketball left, but these programs have work to do. Shop CBA special packages here, or visit the services' home pages for more packages.