Though the men’s college basketball season is still young, a number of teams recorded victories this week that could come in handy in March. In the short term, said results also provided rankings boosts in this week’s USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
Kansas retains the No. 1 spot, claiming 25 of 31 of the first-place votes. Two-time defending champion Connecticut climbs a notch to No. 2, receiving three No. 1 nods. Auburn is up to No. 3 with a pair of firsts, and the final top vote goes to No. 4 Gonzaga. Iowa State rounds out the top five.
Purdue makes a big move, vaulting from No. 12 to No. 6 after an impressive win against Alabama over the weekend. The Crimson Tide fall from the No. 2 spot to seventh. Houston jumps ahead of Tennessee for the No. 8 position. Duke slides to No. 10 after a loss to Kentucky during the week, a win that bumps the Wildcats up seven places to No. 11.
Arizona drops nine places to No. 17 after a loss to Wisconsin. The Badgers join the poll at No. 25 along with No. 24 Texas Tech. Ohio State drops out after falling to No. 22 Texas A&M. Rutgers, despite a 3-0 start, also gets squeezed out for now.