The University of Connecticut has secured the top position in the Associated Press men’s college basketball poll, marking their first time at this ranking since the 2008-09 season. In contrast, Gonzaga has regrettably fallen out of the AP Top 25 for the first time in eight years.
UConn ascended to the top position following a tumultuous week in college basketball, during which several upsets occurred and five new teams entered the poll. The Huskies obtained 39 of 63 first-place votes, displacing Purdue at the peak subsequent to their defeat at Nebraska.
This accomplishment holds great significance for UConn, as it is their first time attaining the No. 1 ranking in the AP Top 25 in nearly 15 years. The most recent instance was during the latter part of the 2008-09 season, culminating in the Huskies’ advancement to the Final Four.
In reference to this milestone, coach Dan Hurley stated last week, “Some people don’t want the target. I think we embrace the target at UConn.”
Formerly occupying the top spot, Purdue secured 20 first-place votes and is currently positioned at No. 2, while Kansas retained the third spot despite their loss to UCF.
Concurrently, North Carolina made a noteworthy ascent to No. 4 after achieving victories and even garnering a first-place vote. Unfortunately, Gonzaga’s defeat to Santa Clara led to their exclusion from the Top 25 for the first time since the 2015-16 season.
The preceding week proved to be anything but predictable for the AP Top 25 teams, with at least eight of the top 10 teams enduring a loss. This upheaval allowed certain teams to maintain their positions despite defeats, including Houston, which only dropped to No. 5 after losing two closely contested matches.
Moreover, Duke re-entered the top 10 after climbing four spots to No. 7, while Baylor, Wisconsin, and Utah State also made significant advancements in the rankings.
However, despite the chaos, some teams experienced a decline in their rankings, most notably Oklahoma, Marquette, Arizona, and Illinois, each sliding several spots.
The most recent poll also welcomed new entries such as TCU, Dayton, and Iowa State, while other teams such as Colorado State and San Diego State exited the rankings.
Breaking down the rankings by conference, the Big 12 leads with eight teams, followed by the SEC with four, and the Big Ten and Big East with three each. The Atlantic Coast and American Athletic conferences closely follow with two representatives each, while other conferences are represented by one team in the Top 25.
The recent shifts in the AP Top 25 reflect the intensely competitive nature of men’s college basketball, underscoring that no team can take their current position for granted. As the season progresses, further surprises and shakeups are anticipated, showcasing the depth and talent across the sport.