This week’s men’s basketball Top 25 poll from the Associated Press (AP) features a minor shake-up as Houston jumps back into the top three, and two more teams leap into the top five.
A week after dropping to No.5 and seeing Kansas take over as the top-ranked team in the Big 12, the Cougars return to the top of the conference after a 2-0 week and a close call for the Jayhawks against Baylor.
Kansas dropped to No.6 because of a midweek loss to Kansas State, while Baylor moved up one spot to No.12 despite the loss. Marquette and Arizona both returned to the top five, and North Carolina and Tennessee fell after losses.
The Big Ten had a difficult week as two of its top three teams dropped after losses. Wisconsin is this week’s biggest faller with a nine-spot drop.
New Mexico, Texas Tech, Utah State, and San Diego State fall out of the Top 25, while Indiana State of the Missouri Valley Conference enters the Top 25 for the first time since 1979.
St. Mary’s, Oklahoma, and Virginia are also new to the poll this week.
While the Big 12 has fewer teams ranked this week than last, it still leads the nation with six Top 25 teams.
Here is the complete AP Top 25 for this week.
1. UConn Huskies (22-2)
2. Purdue Boilermakers (22-2)
3. Houston Cougars (21-3)
4. Marquette Golden Eagles (18-5)
5. Arizona Wildcats (19-5)
6. Kansas Jayhawks (19-5)
7. North Carolina Tar Heels (19-5)
8. Tennessee Volunteers (17-6)
9. Duke Blue Devils (18-5)
10. Iowa State Cyclones (18-5)
11. South Carolina Gamecocks (21-3)
12. Baylor Bears (17-6)
13. Auburn Tigers (19-5)
14. Illinois Fighting Illini (17-6)
15. Alabama Crimson Tide (17-7)
16. Dayton Flyers (19-4)
17. Creighton Bluejays (17-7)
18. Saint Mary’s Gaels (20-6)
19. BYU Cougars (17-6)
20. Wisconsin Badgers (16-8)
21. Virginia Cavaliers (19-5)
22. Kentucky Wildcats (16-7)
23. Indiana State Sycamores (22-3)
24. Florida Atlantic Owls (19-5)
25. Oklahoma Sooners (18-6)
OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Utah State 160, Colorado State 145, Texas Tech 111, San Diego St. 84, Washington St 82, Clemson 57, Nevada 57, Gonzaga 50, New Mexico 27, Florida 19, Michigan St. 17, Texas A&M 16, Grand Canyon 13, Mississippi 12, TCU 10, Texas 9, Memphis 8, South Florida 7, Northwestern 2, UNC Wilmington 1.