The new USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll has no changes at the top of the poll. That will likely not be the case next week after the feast of holiday tournaments is concluded, but for now the top five is the same as last week.
Kansas remains No. 1, picking up 25 of 31 first-place votes this week. Connecticut is at No. 2 with a pair of firsts, and Auburn is again No. 3 overall with three No. 1 selections. No. 4 Gonzaga once again claims the final first-place vote, and Iowa State rounds out the top five that stay the same from the previous poll.
The shuffling begins at No. 6, where Tennessee moves up three positions after an impressive showing in the Bahamas that included defeats of Virginia and Baylor. Houston moves up a spot to No. 7, followed by No. 8 Kentucky up three places. Alabama checks in at No. 9, and Duke holds on at No. 10 just ahead of surging Marquette, which defeated Purdue and sent the Boilermakers down six spots to No. 12.
No. 22 Xavier heads a trio of newcomers to the poll. No. 24 Mississippi and No. 25 Pittsburgh also join. Illinois, St. John’s and Texas Tech slide out.