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Tennessee Claims No. 1 in AP Top 25 After Major College Basketball Shakeup

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 Tennessee Claims No. 1 in AP Top 25 After Major College Basketball Shakeup

The Tennessee Volunteers have claimed the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll, following a week of dramatic upsets and shifts. This marks Tennessee’s first time atop the rankings since the 2018-19 season. The Vols earned 58 out of 62 first-place votes, capitalizing on losses by former No. 1 Kansas and No. 2 Auburn.

Tennessee’s Rise to the Top

The Vols (8-0) are off to their best start in more than two decades, last achieving a 9-0 record in the 2000-01 season. Known for their balance and resilience, Tennessee has excelled despite losing four starters from their SEC championship team last year. Ranked second in defensive efficiency and ninth in offensive efficiency by KenPom, the Vols have proven to be a dominant force on both ends of the court.

Their latest victory, a commanding 96-70 win over Syracuse, solidified their position as the new team to beat. Tennessee is also ranked No. 1 in the NCAA’s NET rankings, further underscoring their impressive start.

Massive Shakeup in the Rankings

The top five saw significant movement this week:

  1. Tennessee (8-0)
  2. Auburn (8-1) – Despite losing to Duke, they retained the No. 2 spot with three first-place votes.
  3. Iowa State (7-1) – Achieved their highest ranking since 1956-57 with one first-place vote.
  4. Duke (7-2) – Rose after a critical win against Auburn.
  5. Kentucky (8-1) – Rounded out the top five with consistent performances.

Kansas, previously No. 1, suffered consecutive losses to Creighton and Missouri, tumbling to No. 10.

Rising and Falling Teams

The week’s turbulence saw dramatic movements throughout the rankings:

  • Biggest Risers:
    • Oklahoma (No. 13) – Leaped eight spots after decisive wins over Georgia Tech and Alcorn State.
    • UConn (No. 18) – Rebounded from an 0-3 Maui Invitational run with key victories over Baylor and Texas.
  • Biggest Fallers:
    • Kansas (No. 10) – Dropped nine spots after two unexpected losses.
    • Wisconsin (No. 20) – Fell nine places following a tough week.

Newcomers and Returns

This week’s shakeup brought fresh faces to the AP Top 25:

  • Michigan (No. 14) – Appears for the first time in nearly three years after tight wins over Wisconsin and Iowa.
  • Clemson (No. 16) – Debuted in the rankings with victories over Kentucky and Miami.
  • UCLA (No. 24) – Returned to the poll for the first time in two years.

Meanwhile, notable teams like Baylor, Memphis, and North Carolina dropped out of the rankings entirely.

Conference Dominance

The SEC led the way with nine ranked teams, showcasing its depth and competitiveness. The Big Ten followed with six ranked programs, while the Big 12 had four.

Looking Ahead

Tennessee’s ascent to the top sets the stage for a compelling college basketball season. With conference play looming and other teams eager to reclaim dominance, the No. 1 spot will undoubtedly be hotly contested.

The Vols’ next challenge will test their ability to maintain this momentum, but their strong start and balanced play make them formidable contenders for a deep postseason run. Fans can expect more excitement and upsets as teams vie for supremacy in a season already full of surprises.