Duke remains atop the AP Top 25 for a second straight week, extending the program’s all-time record to 149 appearances at No. 1.
The Blue Devils captured 55 of 59 first-place votes after dominating Notre Dame and then-No. 11 Virginia last week.
Arizona sits No. 2, picking up four first-place votes after securing a share of the Big 12 regular-season title with a 84-61 victory over No. 14 Kansas. Michigan, UConn, and Florida round out the top five.
Duke (27-2) has been stout on defense since a Feb. 7 loss to rival North Carolina, holding its last six opponents to an average of 57 points.
The week opened with a 100-56 dismantling of Notre Dame, Duke’s worst home loss for the Fighting Irish since 1898. Then Duke routed Virginia 77-51 on Saturday, locking up the top seed in the ACC Tournament.
Rising and falling
Texas Tech makes the largest jump, up six spots after wins against Cincinnati and Iowa State.
Michigan State climbs five spots to No. 8 following a 76-74 win over Purdue and a 13-point victory over Indiana. Nebraska moves up three places to No. 9, more than a month after reaching a program-best No. 5.
Miami (Oh.) moves to No. 19, remaining undefeated and achieving its highest ranking since 1952-53 when it reached No. 12.
Purdue, meanwhile, drops seven spots after losses to Michigan State and Ohio State.
Gonzaga slips three spots to No. 12 after a 70-59 defeat to rival Saint Mary’s.
In and out
Saint Mary’s beat Gonzaga to claim a share of the West Coast Conference regular-season title and enter the AP Top 25 at No. 21 for the first time this season.
Miami (Fl.) returns to the poll at No. 22 for the first time since 2023, buoyed by wins over Florida State and Boston College.
BYU exits the rankings after three losses in four games, following the season-ending knee injury to sharp-shooter Richie Saunders.
Louisville falls from No. 25 after losses to North Carolina and Clemson.
Conference watch
The Big 12 now ties the Big Ten and SEC for the most ranked teams with five, a figure helped by BYU’s exit. The ACC follows with four teams, then the Big East and West Coast each with two. The Mid-American Conference and Atlantic 10 each have one ranked squad.
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