The college basketball landscape was significantly altered following Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) stunning upset against the No. 4 ranked Arizona team, resulting in their highest AP Top 25 ranking to date. The team soared from No. 14 to No. 7 in the most recent men’s rankings, firmly establishing themselves as a formidable presence in the current season.
While FAU’s victory made a resounding statement, the top five teams in the rankings retained their positions. Purdue maintained the top spot, securing 46 first-place votes, while Kansas and Houston held onto No. 2 and No. 3 with 5 and 9 first-place votes respectively. Arizona and UConn retained their positions at Nos. 4 and 5, despite recent losses and subsequent rebound victories.
The reordering of the rankings resulted in a setback for certain teams, particularly in the Big 12 conference. Both Oklahoma and Baylor saw a decline in their rankings following subpar performances, falling to No. 12 and No. 17, respectively. On the other hand, UNC and Kentucky benefited from these losses, with UNC entering the top 10 at No. 9 and Kentucky rising to No. 8. Marquette also achieved a top 10 position, landing at No. 10 following a mixed week of results.
The revised AP Top 25 rankings are as follows:
1. Purdue
2. Kansas
3. Houston
4. Arizona
5. UConn
6. Tennessee
7. FAU
8. Kentucky
10. Marquette
11. Illinois
12. Oklahoma
13. Gonzaga
14. BYU
15. Colorado State
16. Duke
17. Baylor
18. Clemson
19. Memphis
20. James Madison
21. Texas
22. Creighton
23. Wisconsin
24. Ole Miss
25. Providence
In addition to these rankings, several other teams also received votes, highlighting the depth and competitiveness of college basketball.
The recent upheaval in the rankings underscores the unpredictability and excitement of college basketball. With FAU making a bold statement and other teams vying for position, the stage is set for an exhilarating season of top-tier basketball action. It will certainly be intriguing to observe how the remainder of the season unfolds as teams contend for their place in the esteemed AP Top 25 rankings.