BREAKING: Vanderbilt Women’s and Men’s Basketball both ranked in AP Poll top 10

Vanderbilt is the only team with both programs still undefeated in collegiate basketball.

Vanderbilt players walk down the court, as photographed on Dec. 3, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Abbie Bobeck)

By Grace Hall, Deputy Sports Editor

Jan 12, 2026

Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball (17-0, 4-0 SEC) was ranked at No. 5 in the AP Top 25 Poll this morning, per AP News. A few hours later, Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball checked on at No. 10 in the AP Top 25, the highest in-season ranking since 1992-93. This also marks the first time since the 1992-93 season that both Commodore basketball teams have been ranked within the AP Top 10 simultaneously.

Both teams have gotten off to incredible starts this season. The women’s team went undefeated in nonconference play before improving to 4-0 in conference play with wins over Arkansas, LSU, Missouri and Texas A&M. From the beginning of the season, the ‘Dores have drawn national attention, having been ranked in the AP top 25 since the preseason. The Black and Gold are ranked fifth in the conference in average points per game (86.5), led by their captain Mikayla Blakes, who’s 24.9 points per game lead the conference.

On the men’s side, head coach Mark Byington’s team also remains unbeaten with an overall 16-0 record and a 3-0 conference record. The Commodores are one of just five teams in men’s basketball to remain unbeaten, and they currently rank No. 7 in the NET with five quad 1 wins. The Commodores broke into the AP Poll in Week 4 at No. 24 and have slowly climbed their way up the standings. They possess one of the best offenses in the nation under the second year of the Byington era, averaging 93.6 points per game, good enough for No. 7 in the nation and No. 4 in the SEC. The Commodores will now hit the road to face Texas in Austin on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

About the Contributors

Grace Hall, Former Deputy Sports Editor

Grace Hall (‘26) is from Belfast, Maine, and majored in public policy studies with a minor in legal studies in the College of Arts and Science. Grace previously served as the Assistant Sports Specialist for Revenue Sports. She is also president of the Vanderbilt Club Field Hockey team and the Vanderbilt Sports and Society Club. When not writing for the Hustler, you can find her watching the Boston Red Sox or Celtics or at a concert. You can reach her at [email protected].

Abbie Bobeck, Former Staff Photographer

Abbie Bobeck (’26) is from Washington D.C. and majored in communication studies and child studies in the College of Arts and Sciences and Peabody College. She previously served as Deputy Photography Editor. When she’s not taking photos or writing for the Hustler, you can usually find her searching for new music, trying the best restaurants in Nashville, or cozying up with her current binge-watch. She can be reached at [email protected].

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