TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — In the waning seconds of a blowout win, fans at Arizona's McKale Center started a chant of “Number 1!”

The second-ranked Wildcats can certainly make a case with Saturday night's dismantling of No. 20 Auburn and top-ranked Purdue's first loss of the season .

Then again, Michigan can also stake a claim to No. 1. So can Duke. What about Iowa State?

“Obviously, it's not something you shy away from,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said after the 97-68 win over Auburn. “You're at Arizona, you're going to be on the big stage and it's part and parcel being in a program like this.”

The 2025-26 college basketball season is off to an epic start with ready-made-star freshmen across the country and top programs' willingness to schedule tough early games.

The season kicked off

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