The Wildcats (19-3) ascended to No. 1, displacing the Tar Heels (19-2), who dropped to second after holding the top spot. The swap at the summit tells you everything about how thin the margin is between two elite programs separated by one loss and one ballot.
The Blue Jays (17-5) authored the poll's loudest statement, catapulting five spots from No. 8 to No. 3 — a leap that reshapes the title conversation and signals their late-season surge can't be ignored. The Buffaloes (16-4) matched that five-spot climb, landing at No. 5 after starting at No. 11, while the Seawolves (19-3) continued their steady march from No. 10 to No. 6.
Meanwhile, the Midshipmen (20-2) own the poll's most confounding résumé: 20 wins, yet a slide from No. 4 to No. 7. The Wolverines (13-7) also fell four spots to No. 10. And at the bottom, the Minutewomen (16-3) crashed the party at No. 25, the poll's only newcomer — proof that winning games still matters most.
Data via ESPN · Summarized by D1Ball's editorial engine from official statistics.
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