Auburn Tops AP Poll as Georgia Returns to Rankings After 14 Years

AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn has claimed the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll for the second time in program history, while Georgia earned its first ranking in 14 years. The Tigers (15-1) secured 60 of 62 first-place votes after previous No. 1 Tennessee suffered a 30-point loss to Florida, ending its five-week reign at the top.

Auburn, led by head coach Bruce Pearl, has won eight consecutive games since an early December loss. The Tigers previously held the top spot for three weeks in January and February 2022. Their rise to No. 1 highlights a strong Southeastern Conference presence, with nine SEC teams in the latest poll, including three in the top five and five in the top 10.

Iowa State climbed to No. 2, its highest ranking ever, followed by Duke, Alabama, and Florida. Tennessee, despite its loss, remained in the top 10, dropping to No. 6. Marquette held steady at No. 7, while Kentucky, Kansas, and Houston rounded out the top 10.

Georgia (14-2) made its first appearance in the AP Top 25 since January 2011, marking a significant milestone for the program. The Bulldogs, under head coach Mike White, secured back-to-back wins against ranked opponents for the first time since the 2006-07 season. Their inclusion at No. 23 reflects a resurgence in the program’s competitiveness.

Other notable movements included Michigan State and Michigan, which each rose four spots to No. 12 and No. 20, respectively. Illinois experienced the week’s largest drop, falling six spots to No. 19 after a loss. Two-time defending national champion UConn also slid five spots to No. 14 following a defeat.

The SEC’s dominance in the poll underscores the conference’s depth, with nine teams ranked for the fifth time this season. The Big Ten followed with six teams, while the Big 12 had four. The Big East, Atlantic Coast, West Coast, American Athletic, and Mountain West conferences each had one representative.

This week’s poll also saw the addition of Wisconsin and Baylor, while West Virginia and UCLA dropped out. Auburn’s next challenge comes Tuesday against Mississippi State, while Georgia faces a tough test Wednesday at Tennessee.