Alright, let’s talk about the musical chairs at the top of the college basketball world. The second AP Top 25 poll of the season just dropped, and guess who’s back on top? The Purdue Boilermakers. That’s right, the team that started as the preseason No. 1 got bumped by Houston last week, even without losing a game.
It was a head-scratcher, like a coach calling a timeout when his team is on a 10-0 run.But Purdue just rolled up their sleeves and got to work. They marched into a showdown with Alabama and walked away with an 87-80 victory that screamed, “Don’t forget about us.” It was a statement game, the kind that makes the poll voters rethink their life choices.
How Did Purdue Get Back to Number One?
So, what flipped the script? Two words: Trey Kaufman-Renn. The preseason All-American forward had been sitting out the first two games, probably just to build the suspense. He made his grand entrance against the Crimson Tide and put on a clinic, dropping 19 points, snagging 15 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists. It was the kind of performance that makes you wonder if he’s got an extra set of lungs.
And let’s not forget the CBS Sports Preseason Player of the Year, Braden Smith. The guy was simply brilliant, a maestro conducting an orchestra of chaos. He torched Alabama for 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. When your stars show up like that, you don’t just win games; you reclaim thrones.
Meanwhile, Alabama, fresh off a big win over St. John’s that had them feeling themselves, got a reality check. They climbed into the top 10 at No. 8, but the loss to Purdue sent them tumbling three spots to No. 11. It’s tough at the top, folks.
Who Were the Week’s Biggest Winners?
One of the teams popping champagne this week has to be Louisville. The Cardinals soared six spots up to No. 6 after taking down their bitter in-state rival, Kentucky, in a 96-88 thriller. The hero of the hour? Freshman phenom Mikel Brown Jr. The former five-star recruit played like a seasoned vet, lighting up the Wildcats for a team-high 29 points. That loss sent Kentucky skidding three spots down to No. 12. You love to see it.
Another big winner was Illinois. They took on Texas Tech in a ranked-on-ranked dogfight and came out on top, 81-77. The star of that show was Cal transfer Andrej Stojaković, who poured in 23 points. That victory was enough to rocket the Fighting Illini six spots into the top 10, landing them at No. 8. The Big Ten is looking beefy with three teams in the top 10.
Welcome to the Party, NC State
And how about a round of applause for the NC State Wolfpack? After a historic Final Four run in 2024, they had a season to forget last year, which led to a coaching change. They brought in Will Wade from McNeese State, and it looks like the gamble is already paying dividends.
The Wolfpack clawed their way into the rankings at No. 25, marking their first appearance this season. They’re sitting pretty at 3-0, but their first real test is on the horizon. A road game against No. 22 Auburn on December 3rd will show us what this new-look Wolfpack is really made of.
Conclusion
The number one spot seems to be a hot potato this season, with five different teams including Purdue getting first-place votes. It feels like we’re in for a chaotic, unpredictable ride, and frankly, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Buckle up, because November is just getting started.
