Tennessee and Auburn continue to dominate in the Associated Press men’s college basketball poll, retaining their positions as the top two teams amid an impressive showing by the Southeastern Conference (SEC), which secured 10 spots in the Top 25 rankings released this week.
The Volunteers, boasting an undefeated record of 11-0, have maintained their stronghold at the top for the third consecutive week. Joining them in this dominant display from the SEC are the Auburn Tigers, who, despite a single loss, have remained steadfast at the number two position for a remarkable four weeks.
Notable shifts within the top 10 include Kentucky’s significant drop to the tenth spot following a tough defeat against Ohio State. Despite this shake-up, the top 10 persists with familiar faces, with adjustments merely reflecting the week’s outcomes rather than introducing new entrants.
Mississippi State and Arkansas rejoin the rankings at 19th and 23rd, respectively, contributing further to the SEC’s impressive presence in the poll. This marks a notable achievement for the conference, which now holds the distinction of being the first since the 2012-13 season to have 10 teams ranked simultaneously.
The rise of teams such as San Diego State, which jumped to 20th, underscores the dynamic nature of this season’s rankings. Meanwhile, Iowa State, Duke, and Alabama continue to solidify their positions within the top five, reflecting both their consistency and skill.
While Kentucky’s drop was most pronounced, teams like Purdue and UCLA also faced declines, with Purdue falling five spots after a significant defeat to Auburn and UCLA slipping four spots after a narrow loss to North Carolina. Texas A&M and Gonzaga experienced minor setbacks, each dropping a single rank.
The entry of Illinois and Baylor at the 24th and 25th spots marks a resurgence for these teams, which had previously exited the rankings. Baylor, which started the year highly ranked, returns after spending five weeks in the poll earlier in the season.
Leaving the rankings are Memphis, Dayton, Michigan, and Clemson, all of which exited to accommodate the week’s newcomers, demonstrating the fluidity and competitiveness within the college basketball landscape.
The rankings reflect teams from seven conferences, with the SEC leading with 10 teams. The Big Ten and Big 12 follow with five teams each, while the Big East maintains two representatives. The Atlantic Coast, West Coast, and Mountain West conferences each have one representative within the rankings.
The continued dominance of Tennessee and Auburn at the top of the AP poll, and the overall strength of SEC teams, highlights the competitive nature of this college basketball season. As the rankings evolve, the diversity and talent across conferences become more apparent, setting the stage for an exciting run towards the national championship.
Source: Local10
