Auburn, Duke Hold Top Spots in AP Top 25 Amid SEC Dominance

AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn and Duke maintained their positions as the top two teams in the latest AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll, released Monday. Auburn (20-1) secured the No. 1 spot for the fourth consecutive week, earning all but two first-place votes over the past month. The Tigers remain undefeated in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), which boasts nine ranked teams this season.

Duke (19-2) held steady at No. 2, riding a 15-game winning streak after a dominant 81-64 victory over North Carolina on Saturday. The Blue Devils’ defense, anchored by a rotation of players all 6-foot-5 or taller, has been a key factor in their success. Guards Sion James and Kon Knueppel have been instrumental in Duke’s switching scheme, which has held opponents to 87.1 points per 100 possessions when both are on the floor.

The SEC continued to dominate the rankings, with Alabama (No. 3), Tennessee (No. 4), and Florida (No. 6) rounding out the top six. Houston (No. 5) and Purdue (No. 7) also remained in the top 10, while Texas Tech (No. 13) made the biggest leap, climbing nine spots after an overtime win against Houston.

Maryland (17-5) entered the poll at No. 18, marking its first appearance in nearly two years. The Terrapins have won four straight games, including victories over Wisconsin and Illinois. Arizona (15-6) and Michigan (16-5) also rejoined the rankings at No. 20 and No. 24, respectively.

Meanwhile, Mississippi State (No. 22) and Iowa State (No. 16) suffered significant drops after losing two games each last week. Oregon, Louisville, and Vanderbilt fell out of the poll entirely.

The SEC has now had at least nine ranked teams for seven consecutive weeks, solidifying its status as the nation’s premier basketball conference. The Big Ten followed with six ranked teams, while the Big 12 and Big East had five and three, respectively.

As the season progresses, Auburn’s historic start in the SEC has drawn comparisons to past powerhouse teams. The Tigers’ adjusted efficiency margin of 21.45 is the highest in the KenPom database since 1997, surpassing even legendary Duke and Kansas squads. However, as history has shown, regular-season success doesn’t always translate to NCAA Tournament glory.

“The SEC and Auburn are performing at an elite level, but nothing is guaranteed in March,” said C.J. Moore, a college basketball analyst for The Athletic. “The 1997 ACC, for example, was loaded with talent but underperformed in the NCAA Tournament. It’s a reminder that postseason success is a different beast.”