Purdue holds off Houston to stay No. 1 in men’s basketball poll
The first in-season USA TODAY men’s basketball coaches poll is out, and a few notable results from the first full week of the campaign shuffled the rankings a bit. The top two teams remain the same, though there was a close race for the top spot.
Purdue holds on to the No. 1 ranking. The Boilermakers’ received 21 of 31 first-place votes, though their overall margin over second-ranked Houston is just three poll points this week. The Cougars were voted first on seven ballots and were picked no lower than second all but two others.
The changes begin at No. 3, where Florida began the season but tumbles from that preseason spot after an early loss to Arizona. Connecticut moves up a notch to inherit the third position. Duke also climbs a spot to No. 4, claiming a single first-place nod. Michigan jumps two places to round out the top five.
TOP 25: Complete USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball poll
Arizona vaults seven places all the way up to No. 6 thanks to that victory against Florida. Brigham Young checks in at No. 7. Kentucky received the remaining two No. 1 votes but is No. 8 overall. Alabama leaps to No. 9 after a win at St. John’s. Florida holds on at No. 10.
In other moves, St. John’s slides seven places to No. 13. Michigan State gains four positions to No. 17 after toppling Arkansas, which takes a six-spot drop to No. 21. No teams fall out of the Top 25, as Kansas holds on to the 24th spot after a loss at No. 20 North Carolina and Auburn hangs on at No. 25 following a scare against Bethune-Cookman.
