Arizona Retains Top Spot in Updated USA TODAY Sports College Basketball Rankings
As March Madness draws near, the college basketball landscape is taking shape. The latest USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll highlights the strengths of this season’s teams, with Arizona firmly at the top.
Arizona Remains Undefeated
Arizona continues to dominate in college basketball. The Wildcats are ranked No. 1 for the third consecutive week. This achievement comes with unanimous support from the 31 panelists.
Upcoming Challenges
Arizona faces a significant challenge on Monday night against No. 13 Brigham Young. This match presents an important test in the competitive Big 12 conference.
Current Top Teams in the Rankings
- 1. Arizona – Holding the top position
- 2. Michigan – Retaining its second spot
- 3. Connecticut – Close behind with just seven polling points less
- 4. Duke – Securing the fourth position
- 5. Nebraska – Achieving its best-ever ranking
Climbing the Ranks
Gonzaga has moved up two spots to No. 6. In contrast, Houston has slipped to No. 7 following a narrow defeat against No. 11 Texas Tech.
Top 10 Overview
- 8. Michigan State
- 9. Iowa State
- 10. Illinois
Purdue has faced a setback, dropping eight places to No. 12. Meanwhile, Georgia is no longer in the rankings, making way for two newcomers.
New Entrants
This week features a tie for the 25th spot, welcoming both Iowa and Miami (Ohio) back into the rankings. Miami’s return marks its first recognition in the Top 25 since March 31, 1991.
With the NCAA tournament on the horizon, these rankings can significantly influence predictions and expectations for the participating teams. Keep an eye on how the landscape shifts as March Madness approaches.
