📄 2044 Top 25 Rankings: Update Jan 23rd

The updated CBGM Top #25 Poll is out. Check out who’s in the top 5, the top 10!

A New Leader Emerges

The latest media poll sees VCU (20–1) climb to the No. 1 spot after continuing its dominant run through the schedule. The Rams have been one of the most consistent teams in the country, pairing elite defense with an offense that continues to find timely scoring when it matters most.

Right behind them sits Texas (20–1) at No. 2. The Longhorns have matched VCU’s record but remain just behind in the rankings, setting up what could become a compelling race for the top position as the season progresses.

Missouri (19–1) remains locked in at No. 3, continuing its strong campaign and keeping pressure on the teams above them.

The Top Tier Holding Strong

Minnesota (17–3) stays put at No. 4, continuing to prove its legitimacy among the nation’s elite programs. Meanwhile Notre Dame (16–2) climbs one spot to No. 5 after another strong week of results.

Baylor (13–4) slips slightly to No. 6, while North Carolina (15–4) remains steady at No. 7 as both teams try to regain momentum in the upper tier.

Florida State (16–3) and Saint Mary’s (17–3) each rise one spot, moving to No. 8 and No. 9 respectively. Both programs continue to trend upward as the postseason picture begins to take shape.

Movement in the Middle

The middle of the poll saw several notable shifts. Stanford (15–4) drops two spots to No. 10 after a tough stretch, while Colorado (15–4) holds steady just outside the top ten.

One of the biggest jumps belongs to Louisville (13–6), which rises four spots to No. 12 after a strong week. Maryland (13–7) also inches upward to No. 13.

Further down the rankings, Gonzaga (15–3) makes a solid move, jumping three places to No. 16. Xavier (14–4) also continues its upward trend, climbing one spot to No. 17.

Teams Losing Ground

Several programs took notable steps backward this week. LSU (14–5) and BYU (14–5) both drop two positions as recent results slow their momentum.

The biggest fall inside the Top 20 belongs to Butler (12–7), sliding three spots to No. 18 after a difficult stretch.

Outside the top 15, NC State (14–5) drops three positions to No. 20, while Penn State (15–4) and Illinois (14–5) each slip one spot near the bottom of the poll.

Teams on the Rise Late

A few programs are beginning to build momentum toward the back end of the rankings. Seton Hall (15–2) moves up to No. 19, while Old Dominion (14–5) jumps three spots to No. 23 as the Monarchs continue to impress.

Meanwhile Alabama (15–5) and Miami (13–6) hold steady as they attempt to solidify their tournament positioning.

The Big Picture

The race at the top has tightened considerably. VCU, Texas, and Missouri have separated themselves as the nation’s most consistent teams, but the battle from No. 4 through No. 12 remains extremely fluid. With several teams rising and falling weekly, the middle of the rankings continues to be one of the most volatile areas of the poll as the season pushes deeper into its critical stretch.