This week’s Associated Press Top 25 males’s college basketball ballot options a number of notable adjustments after a jam-packed Vacation slate. Listed here are 5 takeaways from the ballot, which was launched on Monday.
Michigan surges into high three after spectacular week
After wins over San Diego State, then-No. 21 Auburn and No. 12 Gonzaga by a mixed 110 factors, the Wolverines (7-0), up 4 spots to No. 3, cruised to the Gamers Period Championship and now have essentially the most Quad 1 wins (three) within the nation.
Michigan can also be first within the NET (NCAA Analysis Device) rankings and has been led by senior ahead Yaxel Lendeborg (16 PPG, 7.6 RPG). It’s nonetheless early within the season, however you can also make the case that Michigan has appeared like the most effective staff within the nation up to now.
Duke stays put as Cameron Boozer continues to make historical past
The Blue Devils (8-0) stay at No. 4 within the newest ballot, however freshman Cameron Boozer has made his presence felt up to now. Coming off a 35-point performance in a 80-71 win over then-No. 22 Arkansas on Thanksgiving, Boozer grew to become the first Duke player over the last 45 years with a number of 35-point video games on 70% taking pictures.
For comparability, JJ Redick and Jay Williams achieved the identical feat after they had been at Duke and it took them 99 and 83 video games, respectively, to get there. Boozer has had a powerful begin to his freshman season, however with upcoming video games in opposition to No. 15 Florida (Tuesday), No. 7 Michigan State (Saturday) and No. 19 Texas Tech (Dec. 20), a tricky conclusion to nonconference play awaits.
Michigan State, Vanderbilt transfer up
The Spartans (7-0), up 4 spots to No. 7, are tied with Arizona for essentially the most wins (three) in opposition to AP-ranked opponents this season and are off to their first undefeated begin by means of seven video games since they began 13-0 in 2015-16.
The Commodores (8-0) climb seven spots to No. 17 after profitable the Battle 4 Atlantis Championship. Vanderbilt is scoring the second-most factors per sport (97.9 PPG) and is off to its finest begin since 2007-08.
The Cougars (7-1) fall 5 spots to No. 8 after a 76-73 loss to then-No. 17 Tennessee within the Gamers Period Competition. Whereas freshman guard Kingston Flemings had a team-high 25 factors (10-of-15 FG), Houston was unable to find any answer for Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Tennessee.
The Pink Storm (4-3) drop 9 spots to No. 23 after a lackluster displaying within the Gamers Period. Defensive issues proceed to plague St. John’s, which gave up 83 factors to then-No. 15 Iowa State and 85 factors to a Twenty first-ranked Auburn staff, giving this system eight consecutive losses to ranked nonconference opponents.
Kansas, USC be a part of the rankings
The Jayhawks (6-2) make a return to the ballot at No. 21 after choosing up their first win over a ranked opponent this season within the win over Tennessee. Kansas is the one staff in Division-I that has but to permit an opposing staff to shoot 30% from long-range.
The Trojans (7-0) debut at No. 24 after defeating former Pac-12 rival Arizona State, 88-75, to win this system’s first Maui Invitational title. Auburn switch Chad Baker-Mazara was key within the win with 23 factors (9-of-16 FG) as USC is off to its finest begin to a season because it gained 13 straight to start the 2021-22 marketing campaign.
