The latest AP Top 25 men’s poll has stirred things up, with North Carolina slipping two spots to No. 18. Meanwhile, Duke has claimed the top spot, pushing Michigan down the ranks.
North Carolina, now 21-6 overall and 9-5 in the ACC, bounced back from a tough 82-58 loss to N.C. State.
With Henri Veesaar back in action, they secured a 77-64 victory at Syracuse. Currently tied for sixth in the ACC alongside No.
24 Louisville, the Tar Heels are gearing up to host the Cardinals, who have had their own ups and downs after a loss to SMU and a win over Georgia Tech.
This marks the second week in a row that UNC has dropped in the rankings, having fallen five spots previously.
Duke, boasting a 25-2 record and a dominant 13-1 in the ACC, overtook Michigan by winning a crucial game in Washington. Michigan, now No. 3, shares the same record but leads the Big Ten.
Arizona, also 25-2, climbed to No. 2 after a solid win against Houston, which now sits at No. 5.
Virginia is the only other ACC team in the top ranks, moving up to No. 11 after impressive victories over Georgia Tech and Miami.
In the Big East, St. John’s continues to shine, moving up to No. 15 with a 13-game winning streak.
They’re set for a key matchup against No. 6 UConn.
Vanderbilt, featuring talents like Tyler Nickel and Jalen Washington, dropped to No. 25 after close losses to Missouri and Tennessee.
In terms of voting, some interesting choices emerged. Brice Cherry and Matt Young ranked UNC highest at No. 14, while others left them off their ballots entirely.
Chris Lea and John Johnson placed them at No. 17, and Kate Rogerson at No. 18.
The AP Top 25 is a dynamic landscape this week, reflecting the intense competition and shifting fortunes of college basketball’s elite teams.