Purdue keeps hold of No. 1 spot in men’s basketball poll after loss
The No. 1 spot in the USA TODAY Sports men’s college basketball coaches poll will not change hands this week after all.
Purdue retains the top position after Saturday’s road loss at archrival Indiana. Though the decision is no longer unanimous, the Boilermakers still received 15 of 32 first-place votes to finish 15 points ahead of Houston. The Cougars move up to second with 13 first-place nods.
Alabama moves up to No. 3 after going 2-0 during the week and claims one No. 1 vote. Arizona jumps three places to No. 4 as Tennessee slips from second to fifth, though the Volunteers were voted first on two ballots.
The final No. 1 vote went to Texas, now leading the hotly contested Big 12. The Longhorns gain three positions overall to check in at No. 6. UCLA, tied for ninth with Texas last week, hops over Kansas to grab the No. 7 spot. Virginia falls five places to No. 9, and Big East co-leader Marquette rounds out the top 10.
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The Big 12 claims the next three spots with Kansas State, Baylor and Iowa State. Saint Mary’s vaults four places to 14th after upending No. 16 Gonzaga. Indiana also improved four positions to No. 18 following the Purdue victory.
The ACC picks up a couple more representatives in the poll as North Carolina State enters at No. 22 and Duke rejoins in a tie for 24th with Clemson just a point ahead of Creighton. No. 23 San Diego State is also back in the Top 25.
Florida Atlantic, Auburn and Illinois are this week’s drop out.