On this week’s Related Press High 25 males’s basketball ballot, launched on Monday, the No. 1 crew stays put after a formidable exhibiting whereas quite a lot of motion occurred all through the remainder of the rankings.
Listed here are 5 takeaways from the ballot.
Auburn stays on the high after convincing win in top-two showdown
For the sixth consecutive week, Auburn (23-2, 11-1 SEC) is the No. 1 crew within the nation following a 94-85 win over then-No. 2 Alabama on Saturday. Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl got here away victorious in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup on the highway for the second time in his profession, turning into the first head coach to take action in AP ballot historical past. He’s the primary head coach to win an AP No. 1 vs. No. 2 sport at a number of faculties after profitable with Tennessee in 2008.
Alabama drops two spots to No. 4 after being held to 5-of-26 capturing from three-point vary. Contemplating the Crimson Tide make 10 threes on common every sport, based on TeamRankings, Auburn’s protection was a serious a part of its success. With Nationwide Participant of the Yr contender Johni Broome averaging 18.1 factors per sport, it’s going to be troublesome for any crew to knock Auburn off the highest.
Wisconsin climbs 5 spots after second-half outburst
The Badgers (20-5, 10-4 Massive Ten), up 5 spots to No. 11, have gained 4 straight. Wisconsin put up 58 factors within the second half in a 94-84 win over then-No. 7 Purdue on Saturday behind 61.5% capturing and solely three turnovers all the sport.
Senior guard John Tonje had 32 factors (10-of-15 FG). With Tonje and three different gamers averaging 10 or extra factors per sport, the Badgers appear like a harmful crew as March approaches.
Michigan State drops three spots; HC Tom Izzo makes historical past
Though Michigan State (20-5, 11-3 Massive Ten) cut up its video games towards Indiana and Illinois final week and fell three spots to No. 14 because of this, the Spartans nonetheless had one thing to cheer about. Within the crew’s 79-65 win over the Combating Illini on Saturday, Izzo handed Bob Knight for probably the most Massive Ten wins (354) by a head coach in convention historical past.
Michigan State out-rebounded Illinois and took away the three ball, with the Illini capturing 7-of-33 from deep. Whereas the Spartans will face in-state rival and present Massive Ten chief Michigan twice, you may by no means rely Michigan State out so long as Izzo is on the sideline.
Kansas continues to drop after one other loss
It has not been stretch for the Jayhawks (17-8, 8-6 Massive 12). After starting the season because the No. 1 crew within the nation, Kansas, down six spots to No. 23, has cut up every of its final 10 video games and misplaced two of three. In a 74-67 loss to Utah on Saturday, Kansas gave up 16 offensive rebounds and 22 factors off turnovers and by no means led within the sport.
That is the second straight season that Kansas has misplaced no less than six convention video games. Previous to that, the Jayhawks had solely misplaced six or extra Massive 12 video games in a season twice throughout head coach Invoice Self’s first 20 seasons on the program. With solely two gamers, seniors Hunter Dickinson and Zeke Mayo, averaging double-figure scoring, Kansas wants extra firepower and should discover some consistency to place any form of a run collectively.
Louisville rejoins rankings after four-game profitable streak
After briefly falling out of the rankings following a two-week stint in January, Louisville (20-6, 13-2 ACC) returns at No. 25. On the heels of 4 straight wins, the Cardinals’ remaining opponents are every in the course of the convention standings or worse, which ought to bode properly for a crew that solely gained a mixed 12 video games the final two seasons.
Led by senior guard Chucky Hepburn, Louisville has 5 gamers averaging double-figure scoring. With that form of stability, the Cardinals are well-positioned to contend for an ACC title and make the NCAA Event, which appeared like an afterthought coming into the season.
