Back-to-back NCAA Tournament champion UConn managed to stay in the AP Top 25 college basketball poll this week, despite encountering a challenging stretch at the Maui Invitational where they lost three consecutive games to unranked opponents. The Huskies witnessed a significant drop in their ranking, falling from No. 2 to No. 25, yet maintaining their streak of being ranked since the beginning of the 2022-23 season.
Auburn capitalized on UConn’s decline, moving up to the No. 2 position. Kansas continues to hold the top spot in the poll for the fifth consecutive week, although its lead has diminished slightly, with Auburn earning 26 first-place votes compared to Kansas’s 35. The top rankings have shifted, with teams like Tennessee, Kentucky, and Marquette rising into the top five, benefiting from UConn’s fall.
This week has proven to be turbulent for many teams, with 15 ranked teams suffering at least one defeat. As a result, six newcomers have entered the rankings, including No. 12 Oregon, No. 16 Memphis, No. 18 Pitt, No. 19 Illinois, No. 21 Oklahoma, and No. 24 San Diego State.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has shown impressive strength in the latest poll, with four teams in the top 10 and a total of eight teams in the top 25. This highlights a competitive landscape where the SEC is emerging as a dominant force alongside the historically strong Big 12.
Despite UConn’s disappointing performance in Hawaii, they have the opportunity to uplift their rankings in the upcoming games, specifically against Baylor and Texas, both of which could be pivotal for the Huskies’ season.
In summary, while UConn faces challenges, their continued presence in the rankings reflects enduring respect from voters, and their upcoming games present a crucial opportunity for redemption. Fans and players alike can remain hopeful as the season progresses, with many games ahead to showcase their potential and reclaim a higher position in the polls.