Baylor extends lead at No. 1 in USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll
Eddie TimanusThe top teams in men’s college basketball are finally achieving some separation as the home stretch nears, giving a semblance of stability to the USA TODAY Sports Top 25 coaches poll. The top five teams remain unchanged this week, with Baylor and Gonzaga continuing to monopolize the first-place votes.
The Bears strengthen their grip on the No. 1 spot with 19 of 32 firsts this week after running their winning streak to 18 games. Gonzaga was tested on the road over the weekend at San Francisco but held on to run its own string of victories to 15. The Bulldogs were No. 1 on the other 12 ballots.
Kansas, San Diego State and Louisville again round out the top five after unbeaten weeks.
TOP 25:Complete USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll
No. 6 Dayton and No. 7 Duke move up a spot as Florida State, which dropped a midweek game at Virginia, slips a couple of places to No. 8. Maryland makes a six-spot jump to No. 9, now the highest-rated squad in the crowded Big Ten. No. 10 Auburn also gains six positions after taking down Kentucky, while the Wildcats fall three slots to No. 16.
Creighton enters the poll at No. 22 after a solid road win at Villanova, giving the Big East four Top 25 teams this week. Arizona also moves back in at No. 23.
Wichita State and Rutgers are the week’s dropouts.
