Every college basketball season brings a familiar conversation about polls, perception, and what the numbers really say. The AP Top 25 represents the collective judgment of voters around the country. The MyGameSim Top 25 offers something very different. It is a computer driven ranking based solely on this season’s on court results, with no preseason expectations and no historical bias.
Putting the two side by side gives a clear picture of where human voters and the model agree and where they see things very differently.
Where the Rankings Align
A few teams land near the top in both lists. Purdue, Duke, Michigan, and Alabama are all viewed as top tier teams whether you look at the AP poll or the MyGameSim ratings. These programs have been consistently strong through the early part of the season, posting efficient offensive numbers and strong defensive performances. Purdue in particular continues to look balanced in both systems, sitting near the top thanks to efficient shooting and a top tier defensive rating.
Michigan is another team that both humans and the model agree on. The Wolverines sit firmly in the top ten in the AP poll and appear high in the MyGameSim calculation as well. Their tempo and offensive efficiency stand out as key reasons the model rates them so strongly.
Where the Rankings Diverge
Some of the most interesting insights come from the differences. Gonzaga is the clearest example. Although not in the top tier of the AP poll this week, Gonzaga sits at the top of the MyGameSim list. Their early season efficiency numbers are excellent, particularly on the offensive end. A top rated adjusted offensive efficiency and strong schedule strength have pushed them to number one in the computer model even though voters are more reserved.
St. John’s shows a big gap as well. The AP poll has the Red Storm at No. 13, but MyGameSim places them at No. 4. The model leans heavily on their top ten offensive efficiency and strong performance inside the arc. Human voters appear hesitant due to past inconsistency, but the raw data strongly favors them.
On the opposite side, teams like Arizona and UConn fall several spots when moving from the AP poll to the computer model. Both programs are still ranked highly, but MyGameSim is slightly less convinced by their early resumes. Efficiency margins and turnover rates have held them back compared to their AP positions.
The Surprise Climbers
A few teams receive a boost from the model that may surprise casual fans. Iowa State is ranked No. 15 in the AP poll but lands at No. 11 in the MyGameSim list thanks to their defense and improved offensive consistency. NC State also jumps up in the computer model, cracking the top 15 due to strong early season shooting and a top tier turnover margin.
Florida is another team the model favors more than the human poll. The Gators show up in the top ten of MyGameSim, supported by one of the more efficient offenses in the country and a strong start against quality opponents.
What This Tells Us
Early in the season, differences between polls and data driven ratings are expected. The AP poll naturally incorporates brand, expectations, and returning talent. The MyGameSim Top 25 looks only at what has happened on the court this season. No reputation. No projections. Just performance.
As the season moves forward, these rankings often start to converge, but right now they provide two distinct perspectives. One reflects collective opinion and preseason expectations. The other reflects results and efficiency alone.
For fans who want a clearer picture of which teams are truly performing at a high level, watching the MyGameSim list week to week can reveal trends before they show up in the human polls. It is one of the best ways to identify rising teams, declining teams, and programs that might be underrated or overrated in the national conversation.
