The final buzzer has sounded on the regular season, and the last AP Top 25 poll of the men's college basketball season has crowned its champion. The Michigan Wolverines have claimed the coveted No. 1 spot, finishing the year atop the national rankings.

This top ranking caps a dominant regular season for the Wolverines and sets the stage for their March Madness run. They are followed by a powerhouse group of contenders ready to challenge for the national title. The reigning champion UConn Huskies land at No. 2, proving they remain a formidable force, while the Arizona Wildcats secure the No. 3 position.

Rounding out the elite top five are two of the sport's most storied and exciting programs. The Duke Blue Devils, always a threat in March, hold the No. 4 spot, and the Illinois Fighting Illini complete the top tier at No. 5. As the NCAA Tournament bracket is revealed, these top-ranked teams will be the ones to watch, each carrying the momentum of a stellar season into the single-elimination drama ahead.