AP Top 25: Auburn remains No. 1, while Florida climbs to No. 2 in the men’s basketball poll after a week of intense competition. The Tigers (23-2) secured 59 out of 60 first-place votes in the latest rankings, regaining almost all the backing they lost following their home defeat to Florida on February 8. Despite that setback, Auburn held the top position last week, even as Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee garnered a significant share of first-place votes.
In a thrilling showdown on Saturday, the Tigers faced off against Alabama in a highly anticipated No. 1 vs. No. 2 clash. This matchup occurred just hours after the NCAA Tournament selection committee named Auburn the No. 1 overall seed in its preliminary rankings, solidifying their status as a formidable contender.
Trailing Auburn, Florida and Duke were tied for third last week. However, the Gators edged past the Blue Devils to claim the No. 2 position, also earning the last remaining first-place vote. This shift highlights the competitive nature of the rankings and the ongoing rivalry among these elite teams.
Alabama slipped to No. 4, followed closely by Houston, Tennessee, and Texas A&M, which achieved its highest ranking since December 2017. The top ten is rounded out by Iowa State, Texas Tech, and St. John’s. Notably, Texas Tech made a significant move, climbing three spots to secure its first top-10 appearance in three years, reflecting the team’s impressive performance this season.
In terms of upward movement, Michigan recorded the largest jump among ranked teams, ascending eight spots to No. 12 after defeating Purdue and extending its win streak to six games. Similarly, No. 15 Missouri gained six spots, while Wisconsin, Clemson, and Maryland each rose five positions, showcasing the dynamic shifts within the rankings.
Overall, twelve teams improved their standings from the previous week. In contrast, Memphis experienced the steepest decline, dropping eight spots to No. 22 following an overtime loss to Wichita State, which ended their impressive eight-game winning streak.
Additionally, No. 13 Purdue, No. 19 Arizona, and No. 23 Kansas each fell six spots, while Ole Miss dropped five positions, contributing to the reshuffling of the rankings. A total of ten teams were displaced from last week’s poll.
Louisville made its return to the rankings at No. 25, marking its second appearance this season. Under first-year coach Pat Kelsey, the Cardinals have achieved their first 20-win season since 2019-20, demonstrating a remarkable turnaround with only one loss since mid-December.
Creighton, ranked No. 24, fell out of the rankings for the second time this season after a brief return last week. This inconsistency highlights the challenges teams face in maintaining their positions in a competitive landscape.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) leads the nation with nine teams in the rankings, including three in the top four and five in the top ten. The Big 12 and Big Ten each have five teams represented, with the Big 12 boasting three in the top ten, while the highest-ranked Big Ten team sits at No. 11. The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) includes three teams, followed by the Big East with two and the American Athletic Conference with one.
Here’s the full AP Top 25:
1. Auburn
2. Florida
3. Duke
4. Alabama
5. Houston
6. Tennessee
7. Texas A&M
8. Iowa State
9. Texas Tech
10. St. John’s
11. Wisconsin
12. Michigan
13. Purdue
14. Michigan State
15. Missouri
16. Marquette
17. Kentucky
18. Clemson
19. Arizona
20. Maryland
21. Mississippi State
22. Memphis
23. Kansas
24. Ole Miss
25. Louisville
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