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Five takeaways from AP Top 25 men's basketball poll
Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May. Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Five takeaways from AP Top 25 men's basketball poll

In this week's Associated Press Top 25 men's college basketball poll, released on Monday, a shakeup occurs in the top five. Here are five takeaways from the poll.

Michigan, Illinois move up after signature wins

While the Arizona Wildcats (22-0, 9-0 Big 12) are off to their best start in program history and are one of only two unbeatens remaining alongside Miami (Ohio) (22-0, 10-0 MAC), which moves up one spot to No. 23, a couple Big Ten battles took center stage and shook up the rest of the top five.

Michigan (20-1, 10-1 Big Ten) moves up one spot to No. 2, leapfrogging UConn (21-1, 11-0 Big East), after improving to 5-0 against ranked teams this season with Friday night's 83-71 win over then-No. 7 Michigan State. Prior to that, the Wolverines handed a fifth-ranked Nebraska team its first loss of the season in what turned out to be their only win against a ranked opponent so far to be decided by single digits.

Duke (20-1, 9-0 ACC) remains at No. 4 after staying undefeated in conference play, but Illinois (19-3, 10-1 Big Ten) moves up four spots to No. 5 after its own victory over Nebraska on Sunday. That comes after the Fighting Illini took down then-No. 4 Purdue on Jan. 24.

Nebraska gets humbled after undefeated start

After a 20-0 start to the season — the best in program history — the Cornhuskers (20-2, 9-2 Big Ten) drop four spots to No. 9 after becoming the eighth program in AP poll history to lose its first two games played as a top-five team.

An issue for Nebraska in both losses was its inability to control the boards, getting out-rebounded, 35-23, by Michigan and 40-27 by Illinois. While that poses some concerns, a favorable schedule lies ahead with only one ranked opponent (No. 12 Purdue) remaining.

Kansas, Florida move up after statement wins

The Jayhawks (16-5, 6-2 Big 12) climb three spots to No. 11 after holding off a furious second-half rally from then-No. 13 BYU in Saturday's 90-82 win. In a matchup between two players projected to be at the top of the NBA Draft, Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson outshined BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa in the first half, but a no-show in the second half showed the pros and cons that come with him.

The Gators (16-6, 7-2 SEC) move up two spots to No. 17 after backing up head coach Todd Golden's comments in a 100-77 rout of then-No. 23 Alabama on Sunday. Florida committed its fewest turnovers (two) in any game in the past 30 seasons and dominated in the paint, 72-26.

Arkansas drops six spots following loss to Kentucky

Although the Razorbacks (16-6, 6-3 SEC) started strong after facing a 42-35 halftime deficit to the Wildcats in Kentucky's first game in Fayetteville against former HC John Calipari, they had no answer down the stretch in an 85-77 loss.

Now at No. 21 in the latest rankings, it is back to the drawing board for a team that only shot 3-of-14 from deep and got out-rebounded, 35-26. No. 17 Florida is the only ranked team left on Arkansas' schedule, so perhaps a bounce-back opportunity lies ahead.

Tennessee rejoins rankings at No. 25

The Volunteers (15-6, 5-3 SEC) re-enter the fold on a three-game winning streak. Tennessee has particularly excelled on the glass this season with a Division I-leading plus-15 rebound differential in 11 games this season.

Colby Colwell

Colby Colwell is a freelance contributor with a bachelor’s in Computer & Information Technology and a minor in Psychology from Western Kentucky University. With a deep passion for sports, especially NASCAR, he offers his substantial knowledge along with his adept writing skills. When he’s not writing, Colby enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with his family

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