UConn unanimous No. 1; Wazzu ends Top 25 drought

Field Level Media|published: Mon 19th February, 13:52 2024

Feb 15, 2024; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars guard Myles Rice (2) cracks a smile after a score against the California Golden Bears in the second half at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum. Washington State Cougars won 84-65. credits: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

UConn became the first unanimous No. 1 in the Top 25 this season on Monday while Washington State made its first appearance in the Associated Press poll since the 2007-08 season.

UConn (24-2) earned all 62 first-place votes after it throttled then-No. 4 Marquette by 28 points last week. The Huskies have the longest winning streak in men's Division I basketball at 14 games.

Houston (22-3) moved up a spot to No. 2, followed by Purdue (23-3), Arizona (20-5) and Tennessee (19-6).

Iowa State (20-5) jumped four spots to No. 6, followed by Marquette (19-6), Duke (20-5), Kansas (20-6) and North Carolina (20-6) to round out the top 10.

Washington State (20-6), which enters the week second in the Pac-12 behind Arizona, leapt into the poll at No. 21 on the strength of a seven-game winning streak. The Cougars have a win over Arizona this season and their next game will be a visit to the Wildcats on Thursday.

Kentucky (18-7) was the biggest riser this week, jumping five spots to No. 17 after winning convincingly at Auburn over the weekend.

South Carolina (21-5) fell nine spots to No. 20 after two losses last week.

Wazzu was one of five teams to enter the poll this week, joining San Diego State, Colorado State, Texas Tech and Florida.

Virginia, Wisconsin, Florida Atlantic, Indiana State and Oklahoma dropped out.

The rest of the Top 25:

11. Baylor

12. Illinois

13. Alabama

14. Auburn

15. Creighton

16. Dayton

17. Kentucky