The USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll is out with a new-look top five heading into a big week of holiday tournaments. But the top-ranked team has already had a taste of the fun.
Purdue retains the No. 1 spot after a successful trip to the Bahamas. The Boilermakers received 23 of 31 first-place votes to stay ahead of second-ranked Houston. The Cougars were picked first by two voters this week.
Arizona, with some of the most noteworthy wins in the first month of the campaign, moves up a couple of positions to No. 3. The Wildcats also claimed five first-place votes, thanks to a true road win at Connecticut last week in addition to earlier victories against Florida and UCLA. The last top vote this week goes to Duke, which holds the overall No. 4 position. Louisville moves up a spot to round out the top five as UConn slips two places to No. 7 behind still unscathed Michigan. Florida, Alabama and Gonzaga complete the top 10.
TOP 25: USA TODAY Sports men’s college basketball poll
Michigan State continues its upward trajectory, climbing six positions to No. 12 after a strong showing in the Champions Classic. Illinois heads in the opposite direction despite just a single loss to Alabama, tumbling six spots to No. 14. Kentucky also drops five places after its loss to Michigan State.
North Carolina State debuts in the poll at No. 22, and Auburn nudges back into the No. 25 slot. Wisconsin and Kansas are the week’s dropouts.