There’s a change at the top in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll. Previous No. 1 Purdue took a big loss at home over the weekend, but another Big Ten team was ready to assume the mantle.
Michigan, which had moved up to second last week, now takes over at No. 1. The Wolverines were voted first by 17 of the 31 panelists and claims the top spot by 13 poll points over new No. 2 Arizona. It’s the first time the Wolverines have led the poll since the preseason poll on Nov. 9, 1992.
The Wildcats have also built a strong November resume and claimed 11 first-place votes this week. Duke also moves up a notch to No. 3, receiving a pair of No. 1 nods. The Blue Devils had a big win at Michigan State this weekend.
The final first-place vote went to Iowa State, the team responsible for the change at the top. The Cyclones vault five places to No. 4 overall after taking down the Boilermakers. Connecticut holds at No. 5 as Purdue tumbles to sixth.
Gonzaga moves up four places to No. 7 ahead of Houston. Michigan State slips a spot to No. 9 after being edged by Duke. Brigham Young retains the No. 10 spot as Louisville slides five places to No. 11 after a loss at No. 17 Arkansas.
New to the poll this week are No. 22 Nebraska, one of just eight remaining unbeaten teams in Division I, and No. 25 Virginia. Kentucky and Indiana fall out.