AP Top 25 reveals that Texas Tech and Vanderbilt have made their debuts, while UConn slips to No. 25. This shake-up highlights the dynamic nature of college basketball, where every game can shift rankings dramatically.
Auburn continues to demonstrate its resilience by winning tightly contested games, maintaining its position at the top of the AP Top 25 for a second consecutive week. The Tigers received unanimous support, garnering all 62 votes from the national media panel. Their latest victory came against then-No. 6 Tennessee, where a clutch 3-pointer by Miles Kelly with just 30 seconds remaining secured a thrilling 53-51 win.
Tigers coach Bruce Pearl acknowledged the team’s potential for improvement despite their success. “We can play better, and we still were able to beat a great team,” he stated. The Tigers have shown remarkable poise, winning four of their last six games in the final moments, proving that they can handle pressure effectively.
The return of All-American forward Johnni Broome from an ankle injury was pivotal, as he contributed significantly with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocked shots against the Vols. His performance underscores the importance of team health and depth in maintaining a championship-caliber squad.
The top five teams remained unchanged, with Duke holding steady at No. 2, followed by Iowa State, Alabama, and Florida, who recently celebrated victories over South Carolina and Georgia.
Significant shifts occurred in the rest of the Top 25. Houston moved up to No. 6 after a dominant win against Utah and an exhilarating double-overtime triumph over Kansas. Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson praised his team’s understanding of winning, emphasizing their toughness and resilience.
Michigan State climbed to No. 7, while Tennessee rebounded from their loss to Auburn by defeating No. 14 Mississippi State. Marquette and Purdue completed the top 10, with Purdue’s victory over then-No. 21 Michigan showcasing their competitive spirit.
Kansas advanced to No. 11 despite their loss to Houston, while Kentucky dropped to No. 12 following a defeat against Vanderbilt. Texas A&M and Mississippi State followed, both with 1-1 records for the week. St. John’s made headlines by jumping five spots to No. 15 after an overtime win against Xavier, marking their best ranking since December 2014.
Oregon stood at No. 16, trailed by Wisconsin, Illinois, Memphis, and Missouri. Louisville continued its ascent to No. 21, while Texas Tech made its season debut at No. 22 after securing two wins. Ole Miss fell to No. 23, and Vanderbilt entered the rankings at No. 24 for the first time since December 2015. UConn, the two-time defending champion, dropped to No. 25 after a loss to Xavier.
St. John’s and Memphis made impressive five-spot jumps, with the Red Storm riding a six-game winning streak and the Tigers winning seven of their last eight, tying for the top position in the American Athletic Conference.
Ole Miss experienced a seven-spot drop after narrow losses to Texas A&M and Missouri, while UConn’s six-spot tumble still keeps them in the Top 25 for the 52nd consecutive week, the fourth-longest streak in history.
The SEC remains a powerhouse in the rankings, featuring three teams in the top five, four in the top 10, and a total of ten ranked teams. The Big Ten follows with five ranked teams, while the Big 12 has four, the Big East three, the ACC two, and the AAC one.
Here’s the full AP Top 25:
1. Auburn
2. Duke
3. Iowa State
4. Alabama
5. Florida
6. Houston
7. Michigan State
8. Tennessee
9. Marquette
10. Purdue
11. Kansas
12. Kentucky
13. Texas A&M
14. Mississippi State
15. St. John’s
16. Oregon
17. Wisconsin
18. Illinois
19. Memphis
20. Missouri
21. Louisville
22. Texas Tech
23. Ole Miss
24. Vanderbilt
25. UConn
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