The NCAA has released its first NET rankings for the 2025-26 men's college basketball season, with Michigan leading at No. 1 and Duke at No. 2. Michigan's rise is attributed to an impressive performance during Feast Week, including three wins over NCAA tournament-caliber teams—San Diego State, Auburn, and Gonzaga—by a combined margin of 110 points. Michigan’s defense, led by Dusty May, is considered the best in the country, and the team is viewed as a national title contender. Purdue, Arizona, and UConn follow in the top five, with Purdue also undefeated at 8-0. The NET rankings, which incorporate game results, strength of schedule, efficiency, and quality of wins, are used by the NCAA Tournament selection committee. Notably, Vanderbilt (No. 4) and Indiana (No. 11) are ranked higher in the NET than in the AP poll, reflecting their strong scoring margins and efficiency. Conversely, teams like Houston (No. 18) and Florida (No. 33) are ranked lower than expected based on their recent performances. Syracuse is ranked No. 90, with a 4-3 record and a schedule that includes tough opponents like Tennessee, which is ranked No. 12 in the NET. The NET rankings are updated daily, providing ongoing insights into team performance and tournament prospects.