Following a significant reshuffle in the AP Top 25 rankings, Tennessee has emerged as the new leader in men’s college basketball.
The Volunteers received 58 out of 62 first-place votes, marking their ascent to the number one position for the first time since the 2018-19 season. This rise follows a week where several top teams faltered, including Kansas, which experienced two losses, and Auburn, now in the fourth spot after a defeat by Duke. Meanwhile, Iowa State climbed to third place, securing its highest ranking since the mid-1950s, albeit with only one first-place vote.
Tennessee, undefeated with an 8-0 record, owes its top ranking to impressive performances despite losing four starters from last year’s team. Their sole game last week saw them dominate Syracuse with a 96-70 victory. This strong performance is reflected in their top position in the NET rankings and their second-place standing in the KenPom ratings, where they are noted for their defensive and offensive efficiencies.
Kansas, which had maintained the number one position from the preseason until now, tumbled to tenth place after losing to Creighton and Missouri. Auburn appeared poised to take the lead spot but dropped after a loss to Duke, although they managed a win against Richmond following that.
In contrast, Iowa State, initially ranked fifth in the preseason, has bounced back from a narrow loss to Auburn in the Maui Invitational to win four consecutive games, including a major win over Jackson State. The team will face their rivals, Iowa, next.
Elsewhere, UConn managed to recover from a rough patch, improving markedly with victories against Baylor and Texas, thus climbing to the 18th spot in the rankings. Oklahoma made the largest leap, ascending to 13th after successive wins, while Duke and Texas A&M both rose by five spots.
Conversely, several teams saw a decline. Kansas had the most significant dip, followed closely by Wisconsin, which dropped nine places, and Cincinnati, which fell by eight. Meanwhile, new entrants to the top 25 include Michigan, Clemson, Michigan State, UCLA, and Mississippi State, while Baylor, Memphis, Pittsburgh, Illinois, and North Carolina dropped out.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) notably leads with nine teams in the rankings, followed by the Big Ten and Big 12. This level of competition reflects the shifting dynamics within college basketball this season.
The latest AP Top 25 reflects a dynamic season in college basketball, with Tennessee’s rise to the top underscoring the unpredictable nature of the sport. As teams continue to compete fiercely, further changes in the rankings are anticipated, keeping fans eagerly watching.
Source: Local10
