Auburn has risen to No. 1 in the AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll, claiming 60 of 62 first-place votes. This ascent comes after Tennessee, which held the top spot for five weeks, experienced its first loss of the season against Florida. Previously, Auburn had only held the No. 1 ranking once before, during a brief three-week period in early 2022, making this moment particularly significant for the program.
The Tigers’ only defeat this season occurred against Duke in early December, but they have since bounced back with eight consecutive victories. However, the team faces uncertainty regarding star forward Johni Broome’s return after he sustained an ankle injury during a narrow 66-63 win over South Carolina.
This week’s rankings showcase the strength of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), which boasts nine teams in the AP Top 25, including three within the top five and five in the top ten. Auburn’s rise to the top spot highlights the competitive nature of the league.
Iowa State achieved a milestone by moving up to No. 2, marking the highest ranking in their program’s history. They are followed by powerhouse teams such as Duke, Alabama, and Florida, with both Duke and Florida earning a first-place vote.
Once sitting atop the rankings, Tennessee (15-1) fell to No. 6 after suffering a significant 30-point defeat to Florida. They managed to recover with a victory over Texas but still dropped five positions in the poll.
Marquette held steady at No. 7, marking the only team to maintain its position from last week. Kentucky, preseason No. 1 Kansas, and Houston complete the top ten.
Michigan State and Michigan made notable strides, each climbing four spots to No. 12 and No. 20, respectively. Florida and Purdue also enjoyed a boost, rising three positions each.
Overall, 15 teams that were previously ranked have moved up in this week’s poll, showcasing the dynamic nature of college basketball.
While Tennessee’s drop was significant, Illinois experienced the largest decline, falling six spots to No. 19 after a home loss to USC. The two-time defending national champion UConn mirrored Tennessee’s five-spot slide, now positioned at No. 14 following a defeat to Villanova.
Six teams fell in the latest rankings. New entrants include Georgia at No. 23, Wisconsin at No. 24, and Baylor at No. 25. Notably, Georgia’s inclusion marks their first appearance in the AP Top 25 since January 2011.
Mike White’s Bulldogs (14-2) achieved this ranking after impressive victories against ranked opponents Kentucky and Oklahoma, marking their first back-to-back wins against such teams since the 2006-07 season.
Both Wisconsin and Baylor have spent considerable time in the rankings this season, reflecting the competitiveness of college basketball.
West Virginia (No. 21) and UCLA (No. 22) fell out of the poll this week, joining the ranks of teams experiencing fluctuations in their standings.
The SEC continues to dominate with nine ranked teams, including Texas A&M, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss. The Big Ten follows with six ranked teams, while the Big 12 has four, and the Big East has two.
Here’s the full AP Top 25:
1. Auburn
2. Iowa State
3. Duke
4. Alabama
5. Florida
6. Tennessee
7. Marquette
8. Kentucky
9. Kansas
10. Houston
11. Texas A&M
12. Michigan State
13. Oregon
14. UConn
15. Mississippi State
16. Gonzaga
17. Purdue
18. Memphis
19. Illinois
20. Michigan
21. Ole Miss
22. Utah State
23. Georgia
24. Wisconsin
25. Baylor
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