Conference play is underway in men’s college basketball, but the teams near the top of the USA TODAY Sports coaches poll have thus far continued their winning ways. As such, there are only minor changes in the upper tier of the rankings.
Michigan remains No. 1, increasing its lead over No. 2 Arizona. The Wolverines received 24 of 31 first-place votes this week, with the Wildcats claiming the other seven. No. 3 Iowa State and No. 4 Connecticut also hold steady.
The rest of the top 10 saw a bit of shuffling. Purdue is back up to No. 5, once again swapping places with No. 6 Duke. No. 7 Houston also moves up a spot, edging ahead of No. 8 Gonzaga. Brigham Young and Vanderbilt rise one place to complete the top 10
TOP 25: Complete USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball poll
Unbeaten Nebraska continues its upward trajectory at No. 11 after a defeat of Michigan State. Alabama improves to No. 12, one spot ahead of the Spartans, who slip four places.
No. 24 Villanova joins the poll this week, and SMU edges in at No. 25 just ahead of Central Florida. Defending champion Florida falls out of the rankings along with St. John’s.
