Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
AP Poll: Alabama rises to No. 1 for first time in 20 years, Creighton soars to No. 18, Kansas overtakes Texas to lead six ranked Big 12 teams at No. 5
By CHARLIE PARENT
Alabama isn’t just a football school anymore.
The Crimson Tide are the new No. 1 team in the Associated Press Top 25 poll after Purdue fell Sunday at Northwestern. Coach Nate Oats and the Tide (22-3, 12-0 SEC) haven’t loss since Dec. 17 and are rolling through SEC competition right now.
Alabama is followed by No. 2 Houston, No. 3 Purdue, No. 4 UCLA and No. 5 Kansas.
Looking past the No. 1 spot, Kansas overtook Texas this week to lead all six ranked Big 12 teams at No. 6. The Jayhawks defeated the Longhorns last Monday, 88-80, and trail Texas by one game in the Big 12 standings.
Also from the Big 12, Baylor is No. 9, Kansas State No. 12 and Iowa State 19 and TCU 22.
The Big East checks into this week’s poll with five teams ranked, including Creighton’s big rise from No. 23 to No. 18 following last week’s wins over UConn and Seton Hall.
Marquette is No. 11, Xavier 16, UConn 20 and Providence 24.
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