The Houston Cougars are no longer the highest-ranked Big 12 men’s basketball team after a 78-65 loss to Kansas over the weekend.
After the win, the Jayhawks jumped over the Cougars to No.4 in the country, while Houston dropped one spot to No.5. The change is the only difference in the top five this week, as UConn, Purdue, and North Carolina remain at the top.
South Carolina made the most significant jump this week, entering the rankings for the first time this season at No.15 after a 19-3 start that included wins over No.6 Tennessee and No.17 Kentucky. Baylor also made a significant leap, moving five spots to No.15, while Texas Tech’s eight-spot drop was the biggest of the week.
TCU and Oklahoma dropped out of the rankings, and San Diego State and South Carolina took their spots.
The Big 12 still has the most ranked teams of any conference with six, but the SEC is now hot on its heels with five Top 25 teams.
Here is the complete AP Top 25 for this week:
1. UConn Huskies (20-2)
2. Purdue Boilermakers (21-2)
3. North Carolina Tar Heels (18-4)
4. Kansas Jayhawks (18-4)
5. Houston Cougars (19-3)
6. Tennessee Volunteers (16-5)
7. Marquette Golden Eagles (17-5)
8. Arizona Wildcats (17-5)
9. Duke Blue Devils (16-5)
10. Illinois Fighting Illini (17-5)
11. Wisconsin Badgers (16-6)
12. Auburn Tigers (18-4)
13. Baylor Bears (16-5)
14. Iowa State Cyclones (16-5)
15. South Carolina Gamecocks (19-3)
16. Alabama Crimson Tide (16-6)
17. Kentucky Wildcats (15-6)
18. Dayton Flyers (18-3)
19. Creighton Bluejays (16-6)
20. Florida Atlantic Owls (18-4)
21. BYU Cougars (16-5)
22. Utah State Aggies (19-3)
23. Texas Tech Red Raiders (16-5)
24. San Diego State Aztecs (17-5)
25. New Mexico Lobos (18-4)
OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Saint Mary’s 73, TCU 72, Indiana State 53, Boise State 49, Colorado State 43, Virginia 32, Texas 22, Oklahoma 17, Mississippi 10, Washington State 6, Memphis 5, Appalachian State 4, Gonzaga 2, Grand Canyon 1, Michigan State 1.
