Unanimous No. 1 Auburn Remains Undeterred; Duke Climbs to No. 2
The USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll for this week witnesses a continuation of Auburn’s reign at the apex, albeit with a slight shift in the voting distribution. The Tigers still command the throne, but their unanimous hold on the top spot has been relinquished.
This week’s poll features 28 coaches placing Auburn at the summit, while the remaining two first-place votes have been cast in favor of Duke. The Blue Devils’ impressive performance in the past week has propelled them one step higher to No. 2 overall, edging out Florida by a slim margin of 15 poll points.
Houston maintains its upward trajectory, ascending one position to No. 4, while Tennessee regains its place among the top five, pushing Alabama down to No. 6.
St. John’s continues to ascend, climbing two positions to a season-best No. 7 ranking. Michigan State also makes a notable leap, vaulting five places to No. 8 after asserting their dominance in the Big Ten race.
Iowa State and Texas Tech complete the top 10, while Texas A&M endures a four-spot drop to No. 11.
Clemson and Maryland maintain their upward trend, residing at No. 14 and No. 15, respectively. However, Purdue and Marquette experience significant setbacks, plummeting from their previous positions to No. 19 and No. 22, respectively.
Creighton makes a comeback to the poll, entering at No. 25, while preseason No. 1 Kansas bids farewell to the top 25 rankings.
Notable Highlights:
Auburn’s Resilient Dominance: Despite the loss of their unanimous No. 1 ranking, Auburn remains unshaken at the pinnacle. The Tigers’ consistent performances have earned them the respect and admiration of 28 out of 30 coaches.
Duke’s Impressive Ascendancy: The Blue Devils’ recent triumphs have not gone unnoticed, propelling them to No. 2 overall. Duke’s ability to rise to the occasion has impressed the coaches, solidifying their status as a formidable contender.
Houston’s Steady Progression: The Cougars continue to make their mark, moving up to No. 4 this week. Houston’s consistent performances have earned them recognition as a team to watch in the upcoming weeks.
St. John’s and Michigan State’s Rise: St. John’s and Michigan State have made significant strides, climbing to No. 7 and No. 8, respectively. Their impressive performances in their respective conferences have rewarded them with well-deserved acknowledgment.
Creighton’s Return and Kansas’s Demise: Creighton’s re-entry into the poll at No. 25 signifies the team’s resurgence, while Kansas’s departure from the top 25 serves as a reminder of the ever-changing nature of college basketball.
