Duke vaulted to No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll released Monday, capitalizing on Auburn’s stunning 94-90 overtime loss to unranked Yale on Saturday to claim the top spot for the first time this season.
The Blue Devils (11-2, 3-0 ACC) received 52 first-place votes after dismantling Pittsburgh 86-53 in their most dominant performance of the campaign. Jon Scheyer’s squad shot 56.7 percent from the field and held the Panthers to just 33.3 percent shooting in a statement win that showcased their championship credentials.
Tigers Fall Hard After Bulldogs Upset
Auburn (11-2, 1-0 SEC) dropped to No. 4 following their collapse against Yale, squandering a 14-point second-half lead at Barclays Center. The Tigers managed just four field goals over the final 12 minutes of regulation, allowing the Bulldogs to force overtime before completing the stunning upset.
“We got comfortable and thought the game was over,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said after the loss. “Yale deserves all the credit. They never stopped fighting.”
Johni Broome led Auburn with 28 points and 14 rebounds, but the All-American center fouled out in overtime, leaving the Tigers without their anchor when they needed him most.
Zags Surge Behind Perfect Conference Start
Gonzaga climbed three spots to No. 3 after extending their West Coast Conference winning streak to 87 games with victories over Santa Clara and San Francisco. The Bulldogs (12-2, 3-0 WCC) have won nine straight since losses to Kentucky and UConn in November.
Senior guard Ryan Nembhard orchestrated both wins, posting 16 assists against just two turnovers across the two games. The veteran floor general has elevated his play as Gonzaga’s primary facilitator, averaging 8.4 assists per game during the winning streak.
Reshuffled Top 10 Features New Faces
Iowa State jumped four spots to No. 2 after the Cyclones improved to 11-1 with a convincing 83-68 victory over Colorado. TJ Otzelberger’s team has allowed more than 70 points just twice this season, establishing themselves as the nation’s premier defensive unit.
Houston rounded out the top five despite not playing since December 17, benefiting from chaos ahead of them in the rankings. The Cougars (9-3, 1-0 Big 12) return to action Wednesday against UCF in their conference home opener.
Tennessee dropped two spots to No. 6 following a sluggish 66-46 win over Norfolk State, while Kentucky fell three positions to No. 7 after needing overtime to defeat Colgate 78-73 at Rupp Arena.
Notable Movers and Newcomers
Wisconsin made the biggest jump among ranked teams, surging eight spots to No. 18 after road victories over UCLA and USC. The Badgers shot 51.7 percent from three-point range across both games, with Max Klesmit connecting on 9-of-14 attempts from beyond the arc.
Michigan State tumbled seven spots to No. 20 following a disappointing 80-78 loss to Nebraska in their Big Ten opener. The Spartans blew a 12-point halftime lead as the Cornhuskers shot 60 percent in the second half.
San Diego State and Utah State both dropped out of the rankings after suffering conference losses. The Aztecs fell to Colorado State 85-77, while the Aggies were stunned by Wyoming 96-88 in double overtime.
Conference Races Taking Shape
The ACC appears wide open with Duke, North Carolina, and Clemson all undefeated in league play through the first week. The Tar Heels face their first major test Saturday when they visit Cameron Indoor Stadium for the 258th meeting in the storied rivalry.
In the Big 12, Iowa State has emerged as an early favorite alongside Houston, while the SEC remains Auburn’s conference to lose despite their weekend stumble. The Tigers face Alabama on Saturday in a clash that could determine the league’s hierarchy.
The Big East continues its balanced start with UConn, Creighton, and St. John’s all sitting at 2-0 in conference play. The Huskies, ranked No. 8, host Georgetown on Wednesday looking to extend their home winning streak to 15 games.
Duke opens as a 7.5-point favorite for Saturday’s showdown with North Carolina, marking the first time this season the Blue Devils will be favored in a ranked matchup on their home floor.
