Auburn keeps profitable, Kentucky is soaring and that has the Southeastern Convention placing its imprint atop this week’s The Associated Push men’s university basketball poll.
Bruce Pearl’s Tigers acquired 49 of 61 initially-area votes in Monday’s new poll to increase the program’s initial keep at No. 1 for a next straight 7 days, when John Calipari’s Wildcats jumped to No. 5 for the program’s maximum rating in the AP Top 25 in far more than two many years. The SEC has a pair of top-5 groups for the initial time in approximately 3 yrs.
Auburn (20-1) has gained 17 straight online games due to the fact losing a double-overtime activity to Connecticut in November. The Tigers attained a slender acquire at Missouri in their initially match at No. 1 then adopted with Saturday’s household get in opposition to Oklahoma, not to point out the college reaching a deal with Pearl for an 8-year contract.
“It’s been a fantastic 7 days,” Pearl reported with a chuckle soon after the Sooners acquire.
Kentucky (17-4) had the week’s major bounce, soaring 7 places just after winning by 18 at Kansas on Saturday. This marks the maximum ranking for Kentucky considering the fact that the 2019-20 season, when the Wildcats spent one 7 days at No. 1 in the to start with typical-period poll and sat at No. 6 in early March.
“Every time we play like a crew … I don’t think anybody can halt us,” Wildcats big gentleman Oscar Tshiebwe stated after the Kansas get.
This marks the to start with time the SEC experienced two best-5 groups due to the fact February 2019, when Kentucky was fourth and Tennessee was fifth.
THE Best TIER
Gonzaga remained at No. 2 and gained the other 12 very first-spot votes. UCLA climbed to No. 3, adopted by Purdue — which claimed its first No. 1 position before this period. The Bruins opened the calendar year at No. 2 and have now spent 11 weeks inside of the major five, the Boilermakers 9.
CHAMPS’ STUMBLE
Houston and Arizona were being next just after Kentucky, followed by reigning nationwide champion Baylor, which has stumbled just after a 15- begin and a 21-sport winning streak that started with final year’s title run.
Baylor put in five months at No. 1 but has break up its previous six game titles just after Saturday’s loss at Alabama. And the Bears’ 4-spot slide marked the to start with time the Large 12 has not experienced at least a single group in the top five due to the fact the last poll of the 2018-19 period.
Baylor stays the only group in the country to rank in the major 10 of KenPom’s modified offensive efficiency (118.8 points per 100 belongings) and altered defensive efficiency (89.1).
Climbing
Even though Kentucky experienced the most significant jump, No. 18 Illinois also had a noteworthy transfer by climbing 6 places following final week’s get in opposition to Michigan State. In all, nine teams rose in Monday’s poll.
SLIDING
Kansas fell five spots to No. 10 following its reduction to Kentucky, but it was No. 25 LSU that took the week’s largest tumble. The Tigers fell six places soon after shedding at TCU.
No. 19 Southern California and No. 22 Tennessee joined Arizona and Baylor in falling 4 places. In all, nine groups fell from last week’s rankings.
Status QUO
Six teams remained locked in spot for a 2nd straight 7 days, including No. 9 Duke, No. 11 Wisconsin, No. 16 Ohio Condition and No. 21 Xavier.
WELCOME Back
Texas re-joined the poll at No. 23 as the lone new addition pursuing a one-7 days absence in a year that observed the Longhorns open at No. 5.
FAREWELL (FOR NOW)
Davidson fell out of the poll from No. 25 soon after earning the program’s to start with AP Leading 25 ranking due to the fact March 2015.
Conference Observe
The Massive 12, Major East and Large 10 tied for the national guide with 5 rated teams each individual in Monday’s poll. The SEC has four, followed by the Pac-12′s a few. The Atlantic Coast, West Coast and American Athletic conferences each individual had a single ranked group.
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Comply with Aaron Beard on Twitter at https://twitter.com/aaronbeardap
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Additional AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-leading-25-college or university-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25