The AP Top-25 Poll is set to see a dramatic shift this week, and the college basketball world is buzzing. With No. 1 Auburn and No. 2 Duke both stunned by shocking upsets, could the No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide seize the top spot in the rankings?
Meanwhile, the bottom of the poll is just as volatile. Powerhouse teams like the Oregon Ducks, UConn Huskies, and Illinois Fighting Illini are on the brink of falling out of the rankings entirely after tough losses and slipping performances.
Coach Dan Hurley’s UConn Huskies, once a powerhouse, are at risk of slipping out of the Top 25 for the first time this season after a painful home loss to No. 12 St. John’s. Illinois, ranked No. 23, continues to struggle, with four losses in their last seven games, and a brutal remaining schedule featuring matchups against five ranked teams. Meanwhile, the Ducks are sinking fast, having lost five straight, including two against ranked opponents on the road.
But the real story is at the top. Auburn, the previously undefeated juggernaut, suffered their first SEC loss against No. 6 Florida, while Duke was upset by Clemson on the same day. These defeats set the stage for Alabama to rise to No. 1—taking advantage of the chaos and staking their claim as the new leader of college basketball.
As the rankings shift, the big question remains: how far will Auburn and Duke fall, and can Alabama hold onto their newfound top spot? One thing’s for sure—this college basketball season just got a whole lot more intense!
