Auburn rises, Kansas remains No. 1

Kansas retains the top spot after defeating North Carolina at home in one of the week’s main contests. The Jayhawks received 21 of 31 first-place votes, while the Tar Heels were demoted just one spot to No. 11. Alabama remains No. 2 overall and has secured first place four times after a 2-0 start. Two-time defending champion Connecticut is also in third place with three first-place votes.

The big riser of the week is Auburn. After Saturday night’s road win at Houston, the Tigers jump from No. 11 to No. 4. Auburn was picked first by two panelists, while the Cougars slip to No. 10. Gonzaga moves up a few spots and rounds out the top five. He secures the final No. 1 vote, moving ahead of No. 6 Duke. Iowa State and Arizona hold the next two spots, and Tennessee climbs into the top 10 at No. 9.

TOP 25: Complete the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball poll

No. 22 Ohio State enters the poll after upsetting Texas. No. 24 Rutgers and No. 25 St. John’s are also moving in. Texas is eliminated along with UCLA and Mississippi.