Nate Oats Alabama coach

Alabama coach Nate Oats answers questions in an NCAA regional news conference in the KFC Yum! Center on March 23, 2023.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- No. 1 Auburn was beaten decisively at home. No. 2 Duke went to Clemson and lost for the first time in Atlantic Coast Conference play.

Chances are we'll have a new No. 1 in the Associated Press men's college basketball Top 25 poll on Monday — with multiple teams earning votes as the nation's best team.

Here is my ballot:

  1. Alabama (20-3): Can you name the three teams that have handled the Crimson Tide? Purdue. Oregon. Ole Miss.
  2. Auburn (21-2): After an ugly home loss to Florida, it's a Show Me Week for the Tigers with trips to Vanderbilt and Alabama.
  3. Duke (20-3): The Blue Devils took a hit at Clemson but should get well against the California schools this week.
  4. Florida (20-3): Putting 90 points on Bruce Pearl's team at Auburn was the most emphatic road win of the season.
  5. Houston (19-4): The Cougars and Arizona should play for first place in the Big 12 Saturday in Tucson.
  6. Purdue (19-5): The Boilermakers beat Michigan by 27 in Mackey Arena. Can they handle the Wolverines in Ann Arbor Tuesday?
  7. St. John's (21-3): Only Creighton has stopped Rick Pitino's team from being unbeaten in the Big East : and they get the Bluejays at home Sunday.
  8. Texas A&M (18-5): Do you think Buzz Williams should be listed as a candidate for the opening at Indiana? He's been a job hopper : bouncing from Marquette to Virginia Tech to Texas A&M.
  9. Tennessee (20-4): The Volunteers visit Rupp Arena Tuesday night. Rick Barnes and friends could not deal with Mark Pope in Knoxville.
  10. Michigan State (19-4): The Spartan bounced back from their lost trip to Los Angeles by taking down Oregon.
  11. Arizona (17-6): The Wildcats have quietly won 13 of 14. Don't overlook them.
  12. Texas Tech (18-5): The Red Raiders' 7-game winning streak ended at Arizona.
  13. Wisconsin (19-5): The Badgers have a week to prep for their trip to Purdue Saturday.
  14. Iowa State (18-5): The Cyclones ended a 3-game losing streak by winning at TCU.
  15. Clemson (19-5): Nothing fluky about the win over Duke and three of the Tigers' five defeats involved one or more overtimes.
  16. Michigan (18-5): The Wolverines have won four straight and get Purdue at home Tuesday.
  17. Ole Miss (18-6): The Rebels looked the part of a legitimate sleeper team in March when they handled Kentucky.
  18. Kansas (16-7): The Jayhawks have wobbled to a 7-5 conference record.
  19. Kentucky (16-7): The Wildcats have split their 10 SEC games and only won back-to-back league games once.
  20. New Mexico (20-4): Richard Pitino is having a year nearly as good as his father.
  21. Maryland (18-6): Every Maryland loss has been by six points or less.
  22. Marquette (18-6): The Golden Eagles have lost three straight. DePaul will take care or that.
  23. Louisville (18-6): The Cards need to get healthy.
  24. Memphis (19-4): A lot of people have the Tigers ranked much higher but they're No. 44 in the NCAA Net and Ken Pomeroy rankings. Beware.
  25. UCLA (18-6): The Bruins will make their first appearance ever in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall Friday night. An audition for Mick Cronin?

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