UConn back at No. 1 ahead of NCAA Tournament

Field Level Media|published: Mon 18th March, 13:50 2024

Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley shouts to his defense in the second half of the NCAA Big East Conference Tournament second round game between the Connecticut Huskies and the Xavier Musketeers at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Thursday, March 14, 2024. Xavier was eliminated from the tournament by a 87-60 loss to UConn. credits: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

UConn is back in the top spot of the Associated Press Top 25 released Monday, but more important for the Huskies is being No. 1 when the final poll comes out next month.

UConn (31-3) earned 61 first-place votes after winning the Big East tournament championship and securing the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. UConn was No. 1 for six weeks spanning January and February.

Houston (30-4) fell to No. 2 after getting routed in the Big 12 title game. The Cougars earned one first-place vote.

Purdue (29-4), Iowa State (27-7) and North Carolina (27-7) round out the top five. The Cyclones jumped three spots on the strength of that 69-41 win over Houston on Saturday to win the Big 12 tournament. The Cyclones, a No. 2 seed entering the NCAA Tournament, are at No. 4 for the first time since December 2015.

Tennessee (24-8), Auburn (27-7), Marquette (25-9), Arizona (25-9) and Illinois (26-8) round out the top 10.

Saint Mary's (26-7) was the week's biggest riser, jumping six spots to No. 15 after winning the West Coast Conference tournament last week.

No. 23 Wisconsin and No. 24 San Diego State rejoined the poll this week, supplanting Nevada and Dayton.

The rest of the Top 25:

11. Creighton

12. Kentucky

13. Duke

14. Baylor

15. Saint Mary's

16. South Carolina

17. Kansas

18. Gonzaga