UConn Slides To No. 25 In AP Men's Basketball Poll; Kansas No. 1
UConn Slides To No. 25 In AP Men's Basketball Poll; Kansas No. 1
Former No. 1 Huskies Drop After Loss to Xavier
Storrs, Conn. - The University of Connecticut men's basketball team has dropped to No. 25 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll released Monday after suffering a 74-68 loss to Xavier on Saturday. The loss snapped UConn's five-game winning streak and marked the team's first defeat at home this season.
UConn had been ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll since November 21, but the Huskies have struggled to maintain their momentum as of late. They lost to Florida 75-71 on December 3 and have since failed to impress despite winning their next five games. The loss to Xavier exposed some of UConn's weaknesses, particularly on the defensive end.
Kansas Retains Top Spot After Win Over Baylor
Meanwhile, Kansas retained its No. 1 ranking after a convincing 83-60 victory over Baylor on Saturday. The Jayhawks have now won 13 consecutive games and have looked dominant in the process. They lead the Big 12 Conference with an 8-0 record and are one of the favorites to win the national championship.
Other teams in the top five include No. 2 Purdue, No. 3 Virginia, No. 4 Arizona, and No. 5 Alabama. All five teams have impressive records and have shown that they are capable of competing for a national title.
UConn Faces Tough Test Against Creighton
UConn will have a chance to bounce back from its loss to Xavier when it takes on Creighton on Wednesday night at the XL Center in Hartford. The Bluejays are ranked No. 17 in the AP Poll and are coming off a 79-60 victory over DePaul on Saturday.
The game against Creighton will be a tough test for UConn, but it is also an opportunity for the Huskies to prove that they are still a contender. A win over a ranked opponent would go a long way towards restoring confidence and momentum for the Huskies.
Top 25 Rankings Impact
The AP Top 25 Poll has a significant impact on college basketball. It is used to determine seeding for the NCAA Tournament and can also affect recruiting and national perception. UConn's drop to No. 25 is a reminder that the Huskies have work to do if they want to be considered one of the top teams in the country.
Conclusion
UConn's slide in the AP Poll is a wake-up call for the Huskies. They have not played their best basketball as of late and will need to improve their performance if they want to compete for a national championship. The game against Creighton on Wednesday is a chance for UConn to prove that they are still a force to be reckoned with.