Arizona Wildcats Claim No. 1 Spot in AP Top 25

• Clemson center PJ Hall (24) drives past Pittsburgh center Federiko Federiko (33) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

• Duke guard Jeremy Roach (3) watches as teammate Tyrese Proctor (5) is helped off the court by teammates in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)

• Florida State's Baba Miller (11) tries to handle the ball as North Carolina's Harrison Ingram (55) and Armando Bacot (5) defend during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

Clemson center PJ Hall (24) drives past Pittsburgh center Federiko Federiko (33) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

AP

What a wild ride it has been in the world of college basketball! The Associated Press Top 25 poll has seen quite the shake-up, with Arizona claiming the coveted number one spot. Tommy Lloyd's Wildcats have soared to the top, securing their first time at the summit in nearly nine years. Talk about a long time coming!

Last week's top-ranked team, Purdue, unfortunately stumbled after suffering an overtime loss to Northwestern. With their slip, Arizona seized the opportunity and snatched the number one position, leaving the Boilermakers in their wake. The Jayhawks from Kansas also made a significant leap, climbing three spots to settle comfortably at number two. They showcased their worthiness by defeating last season's NCAA champion, Connecticut.

For Arizona, it's a moment to savor. The Wildcats haven't tasted the sweetness of the top spot since January 2014, during the tenure of former coach Sean Miller. Now, under the guidance of Tommy Lloyd, they have fulfilled their dream of making Arizona one of the best basketball programs in the country. It's a testament to their hard work and dedication.

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Duke guard Jeremy Roach (3) watches as teammate Tyrese Proctor (5) is helped off the court by teammates in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)

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Clemson center PJ Hall (24) drives past Pittsburgh center Federiko Federiko (33) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

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Florida State's Baba Miller (11) tries to handle the ball as North Carolina's Harrison Ingram (55) and Armando Bacot (5) defend during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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Southern California guard Boogie Ellis, right, steals the ball from Gonzaga forward Graham Ike (13) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Sam Morris)

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Kansas guard Kevin McCullar Jr. (15) and UConn forward Samson Johnson, right, chase a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. Kansas won 69-65. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd watches during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Colgate, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Chris Coduto)

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Arizona guard KJ Lewis dunks during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Colgate, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Chris Coduto)

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Wisconsin's Max Klesmit (11) and Steven Crowl (22) celebrate after Wisconsin defeated No. 3 Marquette in an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

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Purdue players watch teammates during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. Northwestern won 92-88 in overtime. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

But let's not forget about the other contenders in this exhilarating race. Houston proved their mettle by rising three spots to claim number three, while Purdue slipped to number four after their heartbreaking loss. UConn, despite their defeat at the hands of Kansas, managed to hold onto the fifth spot. And Baylor, always a force to be reckoned with, rounded out the top six.

Meanwhile, Gonzaga and North Carolina made their triumphant entry into the top 10. The Bulldogs, fresh off a victory against USC on neutral territory, jumped four spots to secure the seventh position. The Tar Heels, on the other hand, leapt an impressive eight spots after defeating Tennessee in the ACC/SEC Challenge and making a thrilling comeback against Florida State.

While the AP poll has its own opinion, the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) rankings offer a different perspective. According to the NET rankings, Houston claims the number one spot, followed by BYU, Arizona, Creighton, and Purdue. It's always interesting to see how different rankings stack up against each other, adding an extra layer of debate and excitement to the mix.

In the world of rankings, it's not just about climbing up the ladder. Some teams experience a rough slide down, like Duke, who tumbled 15 spots to land at number 22. Two road losses against unranked opponents certainly didn't do them any favors. Miami, Tennessee, and Texas A&M also took a nosedive, falling seven spots each. It's a stark reminder that in college basketball, anything can happen.

As we bid farewell to some teams, we also welcome new faces to the AP Top 25 poll. Wisconsin bursts onto the scene at number 23 after an impressive win against a formidable opponent, Marquette. Clemson, with a flawless record of 7-0, follows at number 24. And let's not forget about San Diego State, who returns to the rankings at number 25. Talk about a comeback story!

Conference-wise, the Big 12 leads the pack with an impressive six teams in the Top 25. Not far behind is the ACC with four teams, while the Big Ten, Big East, and SEC have three representatives each. The Mountain West, Pac-12, American Athletic, Sun Belt, and West Coast conferences round out the list with one team apiece.

It's becoming clear that this college basketball season is filled with twists and turns. The AP Top 25 poll and the NET rankings are just a couple of ways we try to make sense of the chaos. But one thing is for certain: there is never a dull moment when it comes to the thrilling world of college basketball. So buckle up, basketball enthusiasts, because the journey is just beginning, and the race for the top spot is far from over!