The world of college basketball is buzzing with excitement as the latest AP Top 25 poll reveals some intriguing changes. As teams battle it out during the thrilling Feast Week, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how each ranked squad will fare in the coming weeks. Let’s dive into the details and explore what’s next for these top contenders.
Kansas Holds Strong at No. 1
The Kansas Jayhawks maintain their grip on the top spot, boasting an impressive 5-0 record. Head coach Bill Self recently celebrated his 800th official win as a Division I head coach, reaching the milestone in just 1,048 games – the fourth-fewest in men’s D-I history. The Jayhawks look poised to continue their dominance, with a highly anticipated matchup against Duke on the horizon.
UConn and Gonzaga Round Out the Top 3
UConn remains at No. 2 after a strong defensive performance against East Texas A&M, holding their opponents to just 25.42% from the field. The Huskies will look to showcase their skills at the Maui Invitational, where they’ll face off against Memphis. Meanwhile, Gonzaga sits at No. 3 with a perfect 5-0 start, their best opening record since the 2021-22 season when they went 31-0 before falling in the national championship game.
Auburn and Iowa State Hold Steady in the Top 5
Auburn, ranked No. 4, aims to defeat their second AP Top-5 team this season after taking down Houston earlier in the year. The Tigers have only achieved this feat once before, during their Final Four run in 2018-19. Iowa State, at No. 5, has been a defensive powerhouse over the last two seasons, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on their opponents’ mistakes to the tune of 20.7 points per game off turnovers – the most in Division I.
Notable Risers: Tennessee, Marquette, Wisconsin, and Florida
Several teams made significant jumps in this week’s rankings. Tennessee climbed to No. 7 after an impressive showing at the Baha Mar Hoops Championship, with Chaz Lanier outscoring Baylor by himself 25-20 in the first half. Marquette broke into the top 10 at No. 10, opening the season 6-0 for the first time since 2011-12. Wisconsin rose to No. 15, thanks in part to John Tonje’s perfect free-throw shooting, while Florida leaped to No. 18 following Alijah Martin’s standout performance against Southern Illinois.
Teams on the Decline: Purdue, Baylor, Creighton, and Arizona
Not all teams fared as well this week. Purdue fell to No. 13 despite extending their home winning streak to 22 games. Baylor dropped to No. 17 after a disappointing loss to Tennessee in the Bahamas. Creighton slipped to No. 21 following a school-record 42 3-point attempts in a home loss to Nebraska, while Arizona tumbled to No. 24 after scoring just 55 points – tying their lowest output under coach Tommy Lloyd – in a loss to Duke.
New Faces in the Top 25: Xavier, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State
Three newcomers joined the rankings this week. Xavier entered at No. 22 with a 5-0 record, showcasing impressive shooting performances. Ole Miss debuted at No. 23 after reaching the 100-point mark for just the second time in the last decade. Mississippi State rounded out the poll at No. 25, starting 5-0 for the third consecutive season – a feat not achieved since the early 1970s.
Looking Ahead: Key Matchups and Storylines
As the season progresses, fans can look forward to several exciting matchups and storylines. The Champions Classic will feature a clash between Kansas and Duke, while the Maui Invitational and Battle 4 Atlantis tournaments promise to deliver thrilling contests. Other intriguing storylines include the continued development of top freshmen like Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Arkansas’ Boogie Fland, as well as the potential for more upsets and shake-ups in the rankings.
This college basketball season has already provided plenty of excitement, and with so many talented teams vying for the top spots, fans can expect even more thrilling moments and surprises as we inch closer to March Madness.
– A close source familiar with the AP rankings
As the AP Top 25 teams continue to jockey for position, one thing remains clear: the road to the NCAA Tournament will be filled with intense competition and unforgettable performances. With each passing week, the stakes grow higher, and the excitement builds as these elite programs chase their dreams of cutting down the nets in April.
