Men’s College Basketball 2025-26: Tracking the Remaining Undefeated Teams (Through Jan. 1)

Redaksi•Minggu, 04 Jan 2026, 05.37

A small undefeated group as conference play begins

With conference play now underway, the question naturally shifts from whether an unbeaten start is impressive to whether it is sustainable. Through Jan. 1 of the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season, six teams have yet to take a loss. Their resumes are not identical: some have already faced ranked opponents and multiple high-end tests, while others have built perfect records without seeing a Quad 1 matchup.

Below is a team-by-team look at the undefeated programs, including notable opponents they have already defeated and key challenges still ahead. The season is long, and conference schedules tend to compress difficult games into short windows, making January an early proving ground for any team hoping to keep a zero in the loss column.

Arizona: unbeaten at No. 1 with multiple ranked wins

Arizona sits at No. 1 in the poll and remains undefeated despite already facing several ranked opponents. The Wildcats have taken on Florida, UConn and Alabama, and they have played four Quad 1 games in total. That combination of ranking and early quality opportunities has helped define Arizona’s start as more than a clean record; it has also been a test-heavy opening stretch.

Arizona’s next ranked opponent is BYU on Jan. 26. Before that date, the Wildcats still have Kansas State, TCU, Arizona State, West Virginia and Cincinnati on the schedule. Those opponents are all top-100 teams by NET ranking. UCF is also on the way and, at 36th in NET, is described as the toughest of that group.

Iowa State: tests before a mid-January matchup with Kansas

Iowa State is also unbeaten, and its upcoming slate suggests the path will not be straightforward. The Cyclones have No. 17 Kansas on the schedule in mid-January, a game that stands out as a major benchmark.

Before Iowa State reaches that matchup, it is set to face West Virginia, Baylor (41st by NET) and Oklahoma State. In other words, the lead-up to Kansas includes multiple games that can challenge an undefeated run even before the ranked opponent arrives.

Vanderbilt: undefeated without a ranked opponent, but January brings several

Vanderbilt is unbeaten but has not yet faced a ranked opponent. Still, the Commodores have collected notable non-conference wins, including victories over UCF and SMU, with SMU listed as 28th in NET.

That profile is about to change quickly. Vanderbilt’s first ranked opponent is No. 14 Alabama on Jan. 7. The rest of January also includes Florida, Arkansas and Kentucky, creating a concentrated stretch of higher-profile games that will clarify how the unbeaten record holds up as the competition intensifies.

Nebraska: statement win highlights a growing résumé

Nebraska has played in two Quad 1 matchups so far, but it has already logged wins against Kansas State, Wisconsin and ranked Illinois. A narrow 58-56 victory over No. 9 Michigan State on Friday night is described as a statement for the Cornhuskers, adding a high-impact result to their undefeated start.

As conference play continues, Nebraska’s ability to repeat that level of performance will be central to whether it can remain in the unbeaten group. The early results, especially the win over a top-10 opponent, have already positioned the Cornhuskers as one of the more tested teams among the undefeated.

Michigan: 13-0 after a dominant win and a demanding schedule

Michigan improved to 13-0 with a 96-66 win over No. 24 USC. Beyond the record, the Wolverines’ schedule strength stands out: they have had the fourth-most difficult schedule in all of Division I men’s college basketball. That context suggests Michigan has already been challenged repeatedly, even before the heaviest portion of conference play arrives.

Next up is Penn State on Jan. 6. After that, the Wolverines’ conference schedule features Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio State, Nebraska, Michigan State and Purdue. That lineup ensures continued pressure on Michigan’s unbeaten status, with multiple opportunities for quality wins and equally multiple chances for the first loss.

Miami: unbeaten with no Quad 1 games, but strong road results

Miami’s situation is more unusual compared with the other undefeated teams. The RedHawks have not played a single Quad 1 matchup yet, but they are 6-0 on the road and have won both Quad 2 games they have played. Those details point to a team that has performed consistently away from home while still waiting for the kind of top-tier matchup that often defines national perception.

Miami will not face a ranked opponent all season. However, Akron and Bowling Green are described as well-regarded by NET. Akron, in particular, is ranked 47th by NET, even higher than Miami, which is listed as 63rd.

Teams still seeking their first Division I win

While the undefeated teams draw attention, the season also includes programs still searching for their first Division I win. The list below reflects the teams that, as of this update, have yet to pick up a Division I victory in the 2025-26 season. Notes are included for teams that have won games only against Non-Division I competition.

  • Texas Southern (SWAC): 0-9 (2-0 against Division II)
  • FDU (NEC): 0-10 (3-0 against Division II)
  • N.C. Central (MEAC): 0-11 (4-0 against Division II)
  • The Citadel (SoCon): 0-11 (3-0 against Division II)
  • Rider (MAAC): 0-11 (1-0 against Division II)
  • Kansas City (Summit): 0-12 (3-0 against Division II)
  • North Florida (ASUN): 0-12 (2-0 against Division II)
  • Saint Francis (NEC): 0-11 (2-0 against Division II)
  • Gardner-Webb (Big South): 0-13 (2-1 against Division II)
  • Mississippi Valley (SWAC): 0-13 (1-0 against Division II)
  • South Carolina State: 0-14 (1-0 against Division II)

What to watch as January unfolds

As the calendar turns and conference play expands, the unbeaten group will face different types of pressure. For teams like Arizona and Michigan, the focus is on continuing to clear high-level tests that are already a regular part of the schedule. For programs like Vanderbilt and Miami, the storyline is shaped by what the upcoming slate does—or does not—include in terms of ranked opponents and top-quadrant opportunities.

Regardless of the path, the next few weeks will provide clearer context for each undefeated record. Some teams have already built their case through ranked wins and difficult schedules, while others will get their most defining games in a tight January window.