Kristian Ferrell
The AP Poll, conducted by the Associated Press, provides weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in Division I men's basketball. The rankings are determined by polling 62 sportswriters and broadcasters from across the nation. Each voter ranks the top 25 teams, and the individual rankings are then combined to produce a national ranking. The AP Poll has been running since 1936, and the latest rankings from March 3, 2025, had Auburn at No. 1, followed by Texas A&M, Houston, Tennessee, and Florida. With the regular season coming to a close, it remains to be seen how the AP Poll will look on Monday for men's basketball.
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What You'll Learn
Auburn remains at No. 1
Auburn's success this season continued with a 16-point win over Kentucky on Saturday, which secured them at least a share of the regular season conference title. This win comes off the back of a strong run of form, including victories over ranked opponents such as Alabama and Tennessee. Auburn's success has been built on a strong defensive foundation, with their full-court press causing problems for opposing teams.
Looking ahead, Auburn faces a tough final week of the regular season. On Tuesday, they travel to Texas to face the No. 22 Aggies, who will be looking to bounce back after a four-game losing skid. This will be followed by a rematch against the No. 7 Alabama on Saturday. Alabama will be keen to avenge their earlier loss to Auburn and improve their own ranking, currently sitting just outside the top five.
Auburn's ability to maintain their position at the top of the AP Poll is a testament to their consistent performance and dominant play. With a combination of strong defence and efficient offence, they have proven time and again their ability to compete against the best teams in the nation. As the season moves towards its climax, all eyes will be on Auburn to see if they can maintain their position and make a deep run in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
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Tennessee's buzzer-beater
The game between Tennessee and Alabama was a highly competitive affair, with neither team willing to yield. The Volunteers, representing the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, showcased their determination and resilience in the face of a strong Alabama team. The Crimson Tide, representing the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, fought hard but ultimately fell short in the final moments.
Jahmai Mashack, the hero of the game for Tennessee, displayed exceptional skill and composure under pressure. His ability to sink the game-winning three-pointer amidst the intense atmosphere of a top-tier matchup underscores his talent and mental fortitude. Mashack's performance solidified his place in Tennessee basketball history, joining the ranks of other notable players who have delivered clutch performances.
Jordan Gainey, another Tennessee guard, also played a pivotal role in the game. With his jumper, he kept the Volunteers in contention when they needed it most. Gainey's contribution cannot be understated, as it prevented Alabama from pulling away and provided the platform for Mashack's heroics.
The Volunteers' victory over Alabama had significant implications for the SEC regular season title race. By defeating the Crimson Tide, Tennessee kept their own title hopes alive while also impacting the standing of other contenders. The game showcased the high level of competition within the SEC and added another chapter to the intense rivalries that define the conference.
In summary, Tennessee's buzzer-beater against Alabama was a defining moment of the 2024-25 men's college basketball season. It exemplified the excitement and unpredictability of college basketball, with Tennessee emerging victorious through a combination of skill, determination, and a little bit of luck. The game will long be remembered by fans of both teams and has undoubtedly become a part of the rich history of college basketball in the United States.
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Iowa State's winning streak
As of March 2025, Iowa State has been on a winning streak, with a string of impressive victories. The Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team has a rich history, competing in the Big 12 Conference of NCAA Division I. The team experienced a period of success under the leadership of coach Johnny Orr, who is credited with building "Hilton Magic" and laying the foundation for the team's achievements.
During the 2024-25 season, Iowa State demonstrated their prowess by securing a notable 12th straight home win against an AP-ranked opponent, marking the longest active streak in Division I and the program's history. This streak also positioned them second in the Big 12 Conference's history, just behind Kansas' 18-game winning streak from 2014-2017. Iowa State's winning streak included a notable 17-point victory over Arizona, which stood as Arizona's largest loss of the season.
The Cyclones' winning momentum was temporarily halted by West Virginia, who defeated them 64-57, bringing an end to their impressive 12-game winning streak. However, Iowa State quickly regained their form, as evident in their subsequent victories.
Iowa State's success extends beyond the 2024-25 season. On February 4, 2017, they achieved a remarkable victory at No. 3 Kansas, snapping their opponent's 54-game winning streak. This win marked the end of the longest active home win streak in NCAA men's college basketball. Iowa State's triumph over Kansas was followed by their third conference tournament title in four years, showcasing their consistent excellence.
The Cyclones have a proud basketball tradition, with notable achievements dating back to their early years in the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association from 1907 to 1928. Under the guidance of coach Louis Menze, they secured four conference championships during their time in the Big Six Conference, beginning in 1929. Iowa State's men's basketball team has endured ups and downs over the years but has consistently demonstrated a capacity for resilience and a strong winning spirit.
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Alabama's low-scoring game
The game against Tennessee was a highly anticipated SEC showdown between the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the nation, with Auburn ranked first and Alabama second. Despite Auburn retaining its top spot, Alabama remained close behind, with a narrow nine-point difference in overall points.
In a previous game, Alabama scored 90 points but still lost to Florida 90-81. This loss did not significantly impact Alabama's ranking, as they only dropped one spot to become the new No. 2, setting up the intense clash with Auburn.
Alabama's performance has been notable, with players like Mark Sears joining the ranks of SEC players with multiple 30-point games this season. Alabama's success has been consistent, with 22 times in the preseason AP Poll, 18 times in the final, and a total of 368 weeks overall.
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Florida's win over Houston
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Houston taking a 12-point lead early in the second half after a wild sequence that included a foul on Florida's Will Richard and a technical on the Florida bench. However, Florida slowly chipped away at the lead, with Richard's 18 points keeping the Gators in the game. With just 3:14 left to play, Walter Clayton Jr. scored a 3-pointer to tie the game at 60 and shift the momentum in Florida's favour.
The Gators' defence also stepped up when it mattered most, forcing turnovers and making crucial defensive stops to keep Houston from scoring. This included a pivotal moment with 19 seconds left when Houston had the ball and a chance to win, but Emanuel Sharp of the Cougars almost committed a double dribble, giving the ball back to Florida.
Florida's Alex Condon also had a standout performance, adding a dozen points to the scoreboard. The Gators' coach, Todd Golden, became the youngest men's basketball coach to win an NCAA title since 1983, praising his team's composure and resilience throughout the tournament.
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Frequently asked questions
The AP Poll, or the Associated Press poll, provides weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I sports: football, men's basketball, and women's basketball.
The rankings are compiled by polling 62 sportswriters and broadcasters from across the nation. Each voter provides their own ranking of the top 25 teams, and the individual rankings are then combined to produce the national ranking. A team is given 25 points for a first-place vote, 24 for a second-place vote, and so on down to 1 point for a 25th-place vote.
As of March 3, 2025, the top 5 teams in the AP Poll for men's college basketball were:
- No. 1 Auburn
- No. 2 Texas A&M
- No. 3 Houston
- No. 4 Florida
- No. 5 Tennessee
The football poll is released on Sundays at 2 pm Eastern Time during the season, unless ranked teams have not finished their games. The AP college football poll dates back to the 1930s.
