Tennessee maintained its No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 for the second week in a row, with Auburn closing in at No. 2. The top five in the men’s college basketball poll remained unchanged on Monday. The Volunteers secured 50 first-place votes from the national media panel following victories over Miami and Illinois, propelling coach Rick Barnes’ team to a 10-0 record, a feat achieved only five times in school history. Auburn gained nine first-place votes, bringing their total to 12 from last week. Iowa State, Duke, and Kentucky completed the top five rankings.
Tennessee stands among the five unbeaten teams in men’s Division I basketball, and is one of three from the Southeastern Conference, alongside No. 7 Florida (10-0) and No. 14 Oklahoma (10-0). Drake (9-0) and Utah State (10-0) also remain undefeated going into the new week.
Auburn advanced to 9-1 with a dominant 91-53 victory over Ohio State in Atlanta. Johni Broome led the charge with 21 points and 20 rebounds, marking the Tigers’ first 20-20 game in 35 years. Ohio State coach Jake Diebler praised Auburn, acknowledging their experience and efficiency in capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes.
The SEC continued to assert its dominance in the Top 25 rankings, with Tennessee and Auburn leading the pack, followed by Kentucky, No. 6 Alabama, and No. 7 Florida. Kansas rose two spots to No. 8, with Marquette and Oregon rounding out the top 10.
Two-time defending national champion UConn surged seven spots to No. 11 after defeating then-No. 8 Gonzaga. The Huskies were followed by Texas A&M, Gonzaga, Oklahoma, and Houston maintaining their positions from 12 to 15.
Purdue dropped to No. 16 after their loss to Texas A&M, with Ole Miss, UCLA, Cincinnati, and Michigan State following suit. Dayton entered the rankings for the first time this season at No. 22, just behind Memphis, who returned after beating Clemson. Wisconsin and Mississippi State fell out of the rankings after their recent losses.
The Top 25 was completed by San Diego State, Michigan, and Clemson. In the mid-major scene, Drake and Utah State garnered attention from voters after their strong performances, with Drake making an appearance on 11 ballots and Utah State on 10.
Teams experienced a mix of rises and falls in the rankings, with UConn making the biggest leap to No. 11, followed by UCLA climbing to No. 18 and Texas A&M moving up to No. 12. On the other hand, Michigan dropped significantly by 10 places to No. 24 after a loss to Arkansas, while Clemson fell nine spots to No. 25.
Memphis, which previously held the No. 16 spot,
In a recent matchup, Dayton made their season debut with a strong performance against Wisconsin and Mississippi State, making their presence felt as they gained significant attention despite not being ranked in the Top 25. On the flip side, Arkansas State claimed victory over their opponent, highlighting their potential in the upcoming season.
Taking a closer look at the current landscape of college basketball, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) stands out with a notable presence in the Top 25 rankings. With a total of eight teams securing spots in the rankings, the SEC showcases its depth and competitiveness. Additionally, Mississippi State, Arkansas, and Missouri are on the cusp of breaking into the Top 25, further solidifying the SEC’s dominance in the college basketball scene.
Meanwhile, the Big Ten conference demonstrates its strength with five teams represented in the Top 25, showcasing the talent and capabilities of its member schools. The Big 12 follows closely behind with four teams making their mark in the rankings, indicating a fierce competition within the conference.
In terms of representation, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and the Big East each have two teams in the Top 25, showcasing their competitiveness and potential to make an impact on the national stage. Furthermore, a total of nine leagues have at least one ranked team, underscoring the diversity and depth of talent across college basketball.
