AP Men’s College Basketball Poll: Week 16 Reactions and Insights

AP Men’s College Basketball Poll: Week 16 Reactions and Insights

Welcome to another exciting week in men’s college basketball, where the action on the court continues to shake up the AP Top 25 rankings. As we dive into the latest developments, it’s no surprise that Auburn remains the top dog after securing victories in both of last week’s games. The Tigers have been a force to be reckoned with, and their dominance shows no signs of waning.

Meanwhile, Alabama managed to bounce back from two consecutive losses with an impressive 96-83 victory over a ranked Kentucky team at home. However, despite this win, Alabama couldn’t maintain its position in the top 5. Houston’s commanding win over Iowa State and their three-game lead in the Big 12 standings propelled them into the top 5, pushing Alabama out. The current top 5 lineup is as follows: Auburn, Duke, Florida, Houston, and Tennessee.

Over the weekend, we witnessed several upset losses by unranked teams, which caused a shake-up in the rankings. Purdue fell to the Boilermakers, Arizona was defeated by BYU, Marquette lost to Villanova, and Mississippi State was bested by Oklahoma. As a result, BYU, who also knocked off Kansas earlier in the week, enters the rankings at No. 25. Joining them as a newcomer is Saint Mary’s, who swept their series with Gonzaga and now holds a strong position at the top of the WCC. Unfortunately for Kansas, they find themselves out of the AP poll for the first time in nearly four years.

Other teams making notable climbs in the poll include St. John’s, Michigan State, Clemson, Maryland, Memphis, and Louisville. These teams have been on a roll, and their performances have not gone unnoticed.

Let’s take a closer look at the full Week 16 AP Top 25 poll for the 2024-25 men’s college basketball season:

• Auburn Tigers (Previous ranking: 1, Record: 25-2) – Johni Broome’s standout performance against Georgia, with 31 points and 14 rebounds, was a highlight. Auburn faces Ole Miss next.
• Duke Blue Devils (Previous ranking: 3, Record: 24-3) – Duke’s 110 points against Illinois at Madison Square Garden was a historic feat. They will play Miami next.
• Florida Gators (Previous ranking: 2, Record: 24-3) – Thomas Haugh and Rueben Chinyelu’s double-doubles against LSU were impressive. Florida is set to face Georgia.
• Houston Cougars (Previous ranking: 5, Record: 23-4) – Houston’s defense held Iowa State under 60 points, a remarkable achievement. They will take on Texas Tech next.
• Tennessee Volunteers (Previous ranking: 6, Record: 22-5) – Rick Barnes secured his 50th career win over an AP top-10 team. Tennessee will play LSU next.

As we continue down the list, Alabama, St. John’s, Michigan State, Iowa State, and Texas Tech round out the top 10. Each of these teams has had its share of ups and downs, but they remain formidable contenders in the college basketball landscape.

Further down the rankings, we find Wisconsin, Texas A&M, Clemson, Missouri, and Michigan, all of whom have shown resilience and determination throughout the season. Maryland, Kentucky, Memphis, Louisville, and Purdue follow suit, each with their own unique stories and challenges.

Rounding out the top 25 are Marquette, Arizona, Saint Mary’s, Mississippi State, and BYU. These teams have fought hard to earn their spots, and their performances have been nothing short of impressive.

As we look ahead to the upcoming games, there’s no doubt that the competition will be fierce. With each team vying for a higher ranking and a chance to make their mark in the postseason, the stakes are higher than ever. Stay tuned for more thrilling action and unexpected twists in the world of men’s college basketball.