Tommy Lloyd - AP FILE.jpeg

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Associated Press dropped its fifth poll of the college basketball season on Monday, and Arizona ascended as the third team to spot atop the poll.

Kansas could not hold it, losing to Marquette.

Purdue could not hold it, losing to Northwestern.

Now the Wildcats get their shot, with games against Wisconsin, Purdue and Alabama next on the Arizona schedule.

Here is my ballot for this week:

  1. Arizona (7-0): Tommy Lloyd has stuffed his roster with formidable overseas players, again.
  2. Purdue (7-1): You don't have to convince Matt Painter that playing Northwestern in Evanston is a pain.
  3. Houston (8-0): The Cougars are ranked first in Ken Pomeroy's formula but their strength of schedule is No. 172.
  4. Kansas (7-1): The Jayhawks are not as sharp offensively as Bill Self's teams usually are.
  5. UConn (7-1): The only loss was by four points at Kansas. No shame in that.
  6. Gonzaga (6-1): The Zags have yet to play a true road game.
  7. North Carolina (7-1): The Tar Heels get UConn in Madison Square Garden Tuesday night.
  8. Baylor (8-0): The Bears' best wins came against two SEC teams — Auburn and Florida.
  9. FAU (7-1): The Owls will also be in Madison Square Garden Tuesday night to play Illinois.
  10. Marquette (6-2): I'm not stunned the Golden Eagles lost at Wisconsin but I was surprised it was by 11 points.
  11. Colorado State (8-0): After dominating Creighton, the Rams backed it up by defeating two Pac-12 teams last week.
  12. Kentucky (6-2): Which is the real Kentucky team: the one that rolled Miami or the one that rolled over against North Carolina-Wilmington?
  13. Texas (6-1): The Longhorns play their former coach (Shaka Smart) at Marquette Wednesday night.
  14. Creighton (7-1): The Bluejays blasted an unbeaten Nebraska team.
  15. BYU (7-0): Mark Pope's team has a Prove It game Saturday at Utah.
  16. Tennessee (4-3): The Vols have lost three straight, all to Top 10 teams — Purdue, Kansas, North Carolina.
  17. Miami (6-1): The Hurricanes recovered from their beatdown at Kentucky by defeating Notre Dame in their ACC opener.
  18. Clemson (7-0): The Tigers might have had the best week in the country, winning at Alabama and Pittsburgh last week.
  19. Oklahoma (7-0): Keep an eye on the Sooners' game with Arkansas Saturday.
  20. Michigan State (4-3): The Spartans get their Big Ten opener against Wisconsin Tuesday night.
  21. Illinois (6-1): Terrence Shannon has entered the player of the year discussion by making 22 of 48 three-point shots.
  22. Wisconsin (6-2): The Badgers' wins over Virginia and Marquette will be helpful in March.
  23. Virginia (7-1): Can you believe the Cavaliers scored 84 points while winning their ACC opener over Syracuse?
  24. Texas A&M (6-2): The Aggies have lost two of their last three — to Florida Atlantic and Virginia.
  25. San Diego State (7-1): Only BYU has stopped the Aztecs.

Related Stories:

Copyright 2023 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.