Basketball
While one team strengthened its case as the nation’s top team in this week’s Associated Press Top 25 men’s basketball poll released on Monday, there was a lot of movement throughout the rankings after a pair of teams lost for the first time this season.
Here are five takeaways from the poll:
Tennessee widens gap as the top team in the country
With four more first-place votes from the national panel, Tennessee (14-0, 1-0 SEC) earned 45 of the 60 first-place votes while No. 2 Auburn (13-1, 1-0 SEC) had the remaining 15.
For the first time since 1915-16, the Volunteers are the last remaining unbeaten team in Division I. A dominant 76-52 win over John Calipari’s then-No. 23 Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday got Tennessee off to an impressive start in conference play.
Tennessee had its way on the glass in that game, outrebounding Arkansas, 51-29, and, 24-9, on offensive boards. If Tennessee can improve its shooting (39.1%) from that outing, it has showcased its dominance under the basket and why the No. 1 ranking remains in Knoxville.
Kentucky, Illinois make big gains after top 10 wins
With Saturday’s 106-100 win over previously-No. 6 Florida, the Wildcats (12-2, 1-0 SEC) rise from No. 10 to the No. 6 ranking after a third win in as many games against a top 10 opponent this season under head coach Mark Pope. Kentucky is now 10-1 in its last 11 games against teams with a record of at least 10-0.
Despite falling behind 26-15 less than nine minutes into the Florida game, the Wildcats took advantage of a 16-0 run and a pair of 10-0 runs over the course of the contest to outscore the Gators in the shootout. With an offense that is second in the country in points per game (90.2 PPG), some improvements on defense can take this team to an even higher level.
After two wins out on the west coast against then-No. 9 Oregon, 109-77, and Washington, 81-77, the Fighting Illini (11-3, 3-1 Big Ten) rise nine spots to No. 13 in the poll.
Freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis, the team’s leading scorer (16.4 PPG), has posted double figures in nine straight games. If Illinois can improve from long range (34%), the Fighting Illini could continue their climb up the rankings.
Florida, Oklahoma fall after suffering first losses of season
In their first game against a ranked opponent all season, the Gators (13-1, 0-1 SEC) fell to then-No. 10 Kentucky in a shootout, dropping them two spots to No. 8.
Florida is getting balanced production with four players scoring in double figures, led by senior guard Walter Clayton Jr. (18.3 PPG). Ahead of its SEC home opener against No. 1 Tennessee on Tuesday night, the Gators must improve defensively after allowing the Wildcats to shoot 57.8% from the floor on Saturday.
Oklahoma (13-1, 0-1 SEC) was no match for No. 5 Alabama on Saturday in a 107-79 beatdown from the Crimson Tide, their most points vs. an AP-ranked opponent in school history.
With its first loss of the season, Oklahoma falls five spots to No. 17. Although all five starters scored in double figures, the Sooners only made five of their 19 three-point attempts and gave up 50% shooting from the Crimson Tide. Those two areas have to get better if Oklahoma is going to contend in its inaugural season in the SEC.
Kansas drops after historic loss to open up Big 12 play
The 62-61 loss to West Virginia in the Jayhawks’ conference opener marked their first loss to the Mountaineers at Allen Fieldhouse (11-1). The loss also snapped a 33-game conference-opener win streak — the longest such streak in the AP poll era — giving Kansas its first 0-1 start to league play since the 1991-92 season.
While Kansas (10-3, 1-1 Big 12) rebounded with a 99-48 rout of UCF on Sunday, the Jayhawks need to improve their long-range shooting (35.2%) after making just 25% from three-point range against the Mountaineers.
West Virginia debuts at No. 21 after impressive start to conference play
The Mountaineers (11-2, 2-0 Big 12) are ranked for the first time since Dec. 26, 2022 after taking down Kansas and Oklahoma State to kick off league play.
With a prior win over then-No. 24 Arizona on Nov. 29, it is the first time West Virginia has multiple AP top 10 wins in a season since the 2020-21 campaign. If senior guard Javon Small (19.5 PPG) continues to deliver for the Mountaineers, they may continue to surprise as conference play heats up.
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