Houston becomes this season's fifth No. 1 in AP Top 25 poll

Field Level Media|published: Mon 26th February, 13:45 2024

Houston Cougars forward J'Wan Roberts (13) and Houston Cougars guard Jamal Shead (1) celebrate the win at the conclusion of the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Cincinnati Bearcats, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati. credits: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Houston became the fifth men's college basketball team to hold the No. 1 spot in the Associated Press Top 25 poll this season on Monday.

The Cougars (24-3) received 53 first-place votes following Saturday's 82-76 overtime win at then-No. 11 Baylor and replaced UConn (25-3), which fell to No. 3 after last week's 19-point loss at then-No. 15 Creighton.

Houston reached No. 1 last season for the first time since the 1982-83 squad featuring future Hall of Famers Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon.

Purdue (25-3) moved up one spot to No. 2 and received four first-place ballots, with the other five going to UConn.

No. 4 Tennessee (21-6) leads the rest of the top 10, followed by six teams with identical records as the Volunteers entering Monday: Marquette, Arizona, Kansas, Iowa State, North Carolina and Duke.

No. 11 Auburn (21-6) and No. 12 Creighton (20-8) were the biggest risers this week, each moving up three spots. Dayton (21-50) dropped five slots to No. 21 after a loss at George Mason.

No. 22 Utah State and No. 23 Gonzaga returned to the poll and No. 25 South Florida is ranked for the first time in program history. Colorado State, Texas Tech and BYU dropped out.

The rest of the Top 25:

11. Auburn

12. Creighton

13. Illinois

14. Alabama

15. Baylor

16. Kentucky

17. Saint Mary's

18. South Carolina

19. Washington State

20. San Diego State

21. Dayton