AP Poll Top 25 revealed following Week 16 of college basketball season
The latest AP Poll Top 25 rankings were revealed following Week 16 of the college basketball regular season.
There were upsets, surprises, court stormings and more. The top 10 fluctuated and the rest of the rankings were shaken up amid some crazy basketball over the weekend.
Let’s dive into the latest AP Poll going down the home stretch of the regular season.
1. Houston (+1)
Houston earned its ranking this week with an 82-76 win over Baylor, the previously ranked No. 11 team in the country. The Cougars raced out to a 16-point lead at halftime but had to hang on in overtime.
Still, Emanuel Sharp put up 18 points, two rebounds and one assist. Jamal Shead was awesome with 12 points, four rebounds and 10 assists. J’wan Roberts added 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
2. Purdue (+1)
Purdue won its second straight game following an upset loss to Ohio State. This time, it was an 84-76 win over Michigan as the Boilermakers cruised to win No. 26.
Zach Edey was dominant as usual. He put up 35 points, 15 rebounds and two assists. Braden Smith added 11 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists.
3. UConn (-2)
UConn’s upset loss to Creighton affected the Huskies only slightly. They rebounded, no pun intended, with a win over Villanova, 78-54. There’s a matchup with Marquette on March 6th, circle that one.
In the win over the Wildcats, Cam Spencer went off for 25 points, for rebounds and one assist. Tristen Newton added a triple-double with 10 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists.
4. Tennessee (+1)
It’s now four wins in a row for the Volunteers and they flat out dominated Texas A&M 86-51. This one wasn’t even close, Tennessee is rolling!
Only three players scored in double figures, but Dalton Knecht put up 24 points, seven rebounds and one assist. Jonas Aidoo added 18 points and 14 rebounds.
5. Marquette (+2)
Marquette took care of business with an 88-64 win over Xavier over the weekend. The Golden Eagles are now 22-6 on the season under Shaka Smart.
It was a dominant display from Kameron Jones, who put up 34 points, two rebounds and one assist. Three other players scored in double figures, led by a double-double from Tyler Kolek with 11 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists.
6. Arizona (-2)
After being upset on Thursday by Washington State, the Wildcats bounced back with a win over Washington on Saturday. It was much needed to say the least.
In the win, Caleb Love put up 28 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Pelle Larsson added 17 points, five rebounds and seven assists.
7. Kansas (+2)
Kevin McCullar is still out with an injury, so that’s not good for Kansas. However, the Jayhawks dominated Texas 86-67 at home Saturday.
Hunter Dickinson led the way with 20 points, seven rebounds and two assists. KJ Adams Jr. and Johnny Furphy each had 16 points and eight rebounds in the win.
8. Iowa State (-2)
There was no shame in Iowa State losing to Houston last week, it was a tight one (73-65). The Cyclones bounced back with a 71-64 win over West Virginia over the weekend.
In the win, Tamin Lipsey put up 14 points, four rebounds and six assists. Curtis Jones added 12 points, four rebounds and one assist in the victory.
9. North Carolina (+1)
The Tar Heels took care of business Saturday with a 10-point win over Virginia and will return to action Monday night. Miami comes to town this time with four games left.
In the win over the Cavaliers, Cormac Ryan led the way with 18 points and one rebound. Armando Bacot added a double-double with 10 points, 13 rebounds and two assists.
10. Duke (-2)
Duke was upset by Wake Forest 83-79 over the weekend and the conversation was more about court storming, rather than the game. It seems like the Blue Devils will bounce back from that.
Kyle Filipowski was injured during the court storming, which was very unfortunate. If it’s nothing serious, Duke should be fine. But again, the loss can be shaken off when there’s a larger conversation about postgame activities out there.
Rest of AP Poll Top 25
11. Auburn (-3)
12. Creighton (+3)
13. Illinois (-1)
14. Alabama (-1)
15. Baylor (-4)
16. Kentucky (+1)
17. St. Mary’s (+1)
18. South Carolina (+2)
19. Washington State (+2)
20. San Diego State (-1)
21. Dayton (-5)
22. Utah State
23. Gonzaga
24. Florida
25. South Florida
Others receiving votes: BYU 92, Texas Tech 65, Clemson 45, TCU 45, Wake Forest 44, Wisconsin 42, Nevada 25, Colorado St. 20, Arizona St 17, New Mexico 10, FAU 8, Oklahoma 7, Nebraska 7, Mississippi St. 5, Washington 4, Appalachian St 3, Northwestern 1, Boise St. 1, McNeese St. 1, Indiana St 1, Loyola Chicago 1.
This is the final week of February in college basketball. Oh boy, we’re almost there. March Madness is just about upon us.