College Basketball AP Top 25: Auburn edges Alabama for No. 1 despite loss to Florida

The College Basketball AP Top 25 was updated on Monday for the 2nd time in February, and many fans were expecting a changing of the guard at the top over the poll.

Over the weekend, No. 1 Auburn was beaten — at home — by No. 6 Florida. It was a game overwhelmingly controlled by the Gators with a 10-point halftime lead that was built even larger in the 2nd half.

On Saturday night, No. 2 Duke was stunned on the road in a loss to Clemson with the Tigers scoring the final 7 points of the game. That put the attention on Alabama with Nate Oats’ squad entering the weekend at No. 3 overall.

All the Crimson Tide did was beat Arkansas 85-81 in a game that moved Alabama into a first-place tie with Auburn atop the SEC standings. Many thought that win would move Alabama to No. 1 in the newest poll, but that never materialized.

In the latest AP Poll, Auburn maintained its No. 1 spot with the Tigers still receiving 32 of the available first-place votes. Alabama checked in at No. 2 with 23 first-place votes while Florida and Duke are now tied at No. 3 overall.

While the Gators and Blue Devils occupy the same spot on the poll, it is Florida who received 3 first-place votes. Tennessee, at No. 5 overall, was the only other team to receive a first-place vote.

The race for the SEC title and March Madness is going to be something of epic proportions. Make sure to stay up to date with the latest odds through your favorite sports betting app.

Here’s how the latest College Basketball AP Top 25 shakes out:

1. Auburn
2. Alabama
3. Florida
4. (tie 3) Duke
5. Tennessee
6. Houston
7. Purdue
8. Texas A&M
9. St. John’s
10. Iowa State
11. Michigan State
12. Texas Tech
13. Arizona
14. Memphis
15. Kentucky
16. Wisconsin
17. Kansas
18. Marquette
19. Ole Miss
20. Michigan
21. Mizzou
22. Mississippi State
23. Clemson
24. Creighton
25. Maryland

Others receiving votes:

UCLA 123, UConn 106, Illinois 59, Louisville 53, New Mexico 40, Drake 21, Saint Mary’s 20, Utah St. 8, George Mason 7, Gonzaga 5.

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.