SEC dominates AP Men’s Basketball poll with 10 teams ranked

By Chris Marler

Ten SEC teams in the latest AP Men’s Basketball Poll 

The latest AP Men’s Basketball Top 25 has been released, featuring the most movement of any week this season. While the top five teams remained unchanged, significant shifts occurred in the rankings from No. 6 to No. 25.

Three SEC teams remained ranked in the top five, with Auburn holding on to the No. 1 spot for the fourth consecutive week. Alabama and Florida maintained their spots at No. 4 and 5, respectively. For the first time since December, there are only four SEC teams in the top ten. Tennessee became the fourth team, as the Vols landed at No. 8. 

Kentucky dropped out of the top ten after falling to Vanderbilt. The Cats were a part of three consecutive teams ranked from No. 12 to 14, along with Texas A&M and Mississippi State. Perhaps the biggest turnaround in all of college basketball this season is the Missouri Tigers. The Tigers, who went winless in SEC play last year, are ranked for the second consecutive week, coming in at No. 20.

The final two SEC teams were also surprises. Despite losing three straight games, Ole Miss stayed in the top 25 at No. 23. Behind them, and making their season debut in the rankings, are the Vanderbilt Commodores. For the second consecutive Saturday, Vanderbilt knocked off a top ten team, upsetting No. 8 Kentucky. 

Here’s a look at the full AP Top 25 with SEC teams in bold. 

1. Auburn
2. Duke
3. Iowa State
4. Alabama
5. Florida
6. Houston
7. Michigan State 
8. Tennessee
9. Marquette 
10. Purdue
11. Kansas 
12. Kentucky
13. Texas A&M
14. Mississippi State
15. St. John’s
16. Oregon
17. Wisconsin
18. Illinois
19. Memphis
20. Missouri
21. Louisville
22. Texas Tech 
23. Ole Miss
24. Vanderbilt
25. UConn