Whereas one workforce strengthened its case because the nation’s prime workforce on this week’s Associated Press Top 25 males’s basketball ballot launched on Monday, there was a variety of motion all through the rankings after a pair of groups misplaced for the primary time this season.
Listed here are 5 takeaways from the ballot:
Tennessee widens hole as the highest workforce within the nation
With 4 extra first-place votes from the nationwide panel, Tennessee (14-0, 1-0 SEC) earned 45 of the 60 first-place votes whereas No. 2 Auburn (13-1, 1-0 SEC) had the remaining 15.
For the primary time since 1915-16, the Volunteers are the final remaining unbeaten workforce in Division I. A dominant 76-52 win over John Calipari’s then-No. 23 Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday bought Tennessee off to a powerful begin in convention play.
Tennessee had its method on the glass in that recreation, outrebounding Arkansas, 51-29, and, 24-9, on offensive boards. If Tennessee can enhance its capturing (39.1%) from that outing, it has showcased its dominance underneath the basket and why the No. 1 rating stays in Knoxville.
Kentucky, Illinois make huge beneficial properties after prime 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 rating after a 3rd win in as many video games towards a prime 10 opponent this season underneath head coach Mark Pope. Kentucky is now 10-1 in its final 11 video games towards groups with a document of a minimum of 10-0.
Regardless of falling behind 26-15 lower than 9 minutes into the Florida recreation, the Wildcats took benefit of a 16-0 run and a pair of 10-0 runs over the course of the competition to outscore the Gators within the shootout. With an offense that’s second in the country in points per game (90.2 PPG), some enhancements on protection can take this workforce to an excellent greater degree.
After two wins out on the west coast towards then-No. 9 Oregon, 109-77, and Washington, 81-77, the Preventing Illini (11-3, 3-1 Huge Ten) rise 9 spots to No. 13 within the ballot.
Freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis, the workforce’s main scorer (16.4 PPG), has posted double figures in 9 straight video games. If Illinois can enhance from lengthy vary (34%), the Preventing Illini might proceed their climb up the rankings.
Florida, Oklahoma fall after struggling first losses of season
Of their first recreation towards 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 manufacturing with 4 gamers scoring in double figures, led by senior guard Walter Clayton Jr. (18.3 PPG). Forward of its SEC house opener towards No. 1 Tennessee on Tuesday evening, the Gators should enhance defensively after permitting the Wildcats to shoot 57.8% from the ground 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 factors vs. an AP-ranked opponent at school historical past.
With its first lack of the season, Oklahoma falls 5 spots to No. 17. Though all 5 starters scored in double figures, the Sooners solely made 5 of their 19 three-point makes an attempt and gave up 50% capturing from the Crimson Tide. These two areas must get higher if Oklahoma goes to contend in its inaugural season within the SEC.
Kansas drops after historic loss to open up Huge 12 play
The 62-61 loss to West Virginia within the Jayhawks’ convention opener marked their first loss to the Mountaineers at Allen Fieldhouse (11-1). The loss additionally snapped a 33-game conference-opener win streak — the longest such streak within the AP ballot period — giving Kansas its first 0-1 begin to league play for the reason that 1991-92 season.
Whereas Kansas (10-3, 1-1 Huge 12) rebounded with a 99-48 rout of UCF on Sunday, the Jayhawks want to enhance their long-range capturing (35.2%) after making simply 25% from three-point vary towards the Mountaineers.
West Virginia debuts at No. 21 after spectacular begin to convention play
The Mountaineers (11-2, 2-0 Huge 12) are ranked for the primary time since Dec. 26, 2022 after taking down Kansas and Oklahoma State to kick off league play.
With a previous win over then-No. 24 Arizona on Nov. 29, it’s the first time West Virginia has a number of AP prime 10 wins in a season for the reason that 2020-21 marketing campaign. If senior guard Javon Small (19.5 PPG) continues to ship for the Mountaineers, they could proceed to shock as convention play heats up.
