Auburn Continues Reign at the Top
Auburn has solidified its dominance by remaining atop the AP Top 25 for the seventh consecutive week. The Tigers received all 60 votes from the national media panel, a testament to their consistent performance. Last week, they convincingly beat Arkansas and Georgia, further cementing their position as the team to beat. Duke and Florida switched places, with Duke rising to second and Florida falling to third. Houston and Tennessee complete the top five, with Houston boasting the longest active streak in the Top 25 at 102 weeks. Auburn’s continued success is a reflection of their strong team chemistry and strategic brilliance, making them a formidable presence in men’s college basketball.
Kansas’ Historic Fall
One of the most notable shake-ups this week is the fall of Kansas from the rankings, ending a remarkable 80-week streak. The Jayhawks, who were preseason No. 1, have dropped out for the first time since February 8, 2021. This marks the end of a 231-week consecutive appearance in the Top 25, a record that stands as a testament to their consistent excellence over the years. Kansas’ recent losses, including a 74-67 defeat to Utah and a 91-57 blowout to BYU, were significant contributors to their fall. The 91-57 loss to BYU is particularly historic, as it represents the largest margin of defeat for a ranked Kansas team against an unranked opponent. Despite the setbacks, Kansas showed resilience by defeating Oklahoma State 96-64 in Allen Fieldhouse, with Coach Bill Self emphasizing the team’s ability to bounce back.
Newcomers and Movers
This week’s poll saw some significant movements and new entries. Saint Mary’s and BYU entered the rankings at No. 23 and No. 25, respectively. Saint Mary’s earned their spot with convincing wins over Portland and Gonzaga, while BYU’s entry was fueled by their victory over Kansas and a narrow 96-95 win over then-No. 19 Arizona. BYU’s triumph over Arizona was particularly dramatic, clinched by Richie Saunders’ two free throws with just 3.2 seconds left. First-year coach Kevin Young emphasized the team’s focus on the present and their ability to tackle each challenge as it comes, a strategy that has clearly paid off. Meanwhile, Michigan State and Louisville both made significant jumps, climbing six spots to No. 8 and No. 19, respectively. Michigan State’s back-to-back wins over Purdue and Michigan, and Louisville’s victory over Florida State, were key factors in their impressive rises.
Big Ten and SEC Dominance
The SEC and Big Ten conferences continue to dominate the rankings, with the SEC placing three teams in the top five and a total of eight teams in the Top 25. This includes second-ranked Duke, sixth-ranked Alabama, and seventh-ranked St. John’s, among others. The Big Ten also has a strong showing with five teams in the poll, including Purdue, which fell seven spots to No. 20 after losses to Michigan State and Indiana. Despite the drop, Purdue maintains a 55-week streak in the Top 25, the third-longest active streak behind Houston and Tennessee. The ACC and Big East each have three and two teams in the rankings, respectively, while the American Athletic Conference and West Coast Conference each have one team.
Preseason Favorites Struggle
The sudden drop of some preseason favorites adds an interesting dynamic to the season. Two-time defending national champion UConn, which was preseason No. 3, did not appear on any ballots this week. Similarly, Gonzaga, Baylor, and North Carolina, which were ranked sixth, eighth, and ninth in the preseason, respectively, are also unranked. In total, more than half of the teams in the preseason poll—13 of them—failed to crack this week’s Top 25. This shift highlights the unpredictable nature of college basketball and the importance of consistent performance throughout the season.
Current AP Top 25
Here is the current AP Top 25:
- Auburn
- Duke
- Florida
- Houston
- Tennessee
- Alabama
- St. John’s
- Michigan State
- Iowa State
- Texas Tech
- Wisconsin
- Texas A&M
- Clemson
- Missouri
- Michigan
- Maryland
- Kentucky
- Memphis
- Louisville
- Purdue
- Marquette
- Arizona
- Saint Mary’s
- Mississippi State
- BYU
As the season progresses, the rankings will continue to shift, making each game a critical moment for teams to prove their mettle and climb the ladder.
