After another AP Poll dropped Monday afternoon, the Blue Zone has a breakdown of all the big moves:
Duke stays put
After two dominant wins against Cal and Stanford, Duke proved itself worthy of remaining in the top three of the latest rankings. Following a tough loss to Clemson, the Blue Devils bounced back looking as strong as ever, especially in their rout of the Cardinal.
Duke’s performance against Stanford was particularly impressive, as the home team shot just over 62% from the field and drained 14 3-pointers, showcasing its offensive efficiency. Defensively, the Blue Devils forced 10 turnovers and held the Cardinal to just 38.1% shooting, proving that their defensive intensity is back on track after the stumble against Clemson.
Despite these dominant performances, Duke’s position in the poll did not change. With Alabama’s loss to Auburn and subsequent drop in the rankings, Blue Devil fans may have expected their team to move up. However, while Florida capitalized on Alabama’s defeat to rise to No. 2, Duke remained at No. 3. Though staying in place may not have been the ideal outcome for this group, Duke has reasserted itself as a top contender heading into a critical stretch of the season.
Auburn reigns
Auburn’s 94-85 victory against Alabama was more than just a box score — it was a defining moment in the Tigers’ season. The Iron Bowl rivalry may be best known in terms of football, but this showdown on the hardwood carried just as much weight. Auburn dominated from start to finish, using a balanced scoring attack and a stifling defense to take control early.
Forward Johni Broome led the charge with a double-double, controlling the paint on both ends while the Tiger backcourt overwhelmed the Crimson Tide defense with perimeter shooting. The energy in Coleman Coliseum was electric, with the Auburn faithful turning the game into a hostile environment for the Crimson Tide.
The win not only solidified Auburn’s position at the top of the SEC, but it also reinforced its legitimacy as a Final Four contender. With strong performances in conference play, the Tigers have continued to build their resume, positioning themselves as a team capable of giving the Blue Devils some serious trouble.
ACC on the rise
While Duke remained steady in the polls, the ACC saw significant movement, marking one of its strongest showings of the season. The conference now has three teams ranked, as Clemson climbed to No. 18 and Louisville joined the party at No. 25. With crucial matchups ahead and an 80-62 win against Virginia Monday, the Blue Devils will look to build on their recent success and prove that they not only belong in the top three but deserve an even higher spot. March is near and Duke is right in the thick of it.
Full rankings
- Auburn
- Florida
- Duke
- Alabama
- Houston
- Tennessee
- Texas AM
- Iowa State
- Texas Tech
- St. John's (NY)
- Wisconsin
- Michigan
- Purdue
- Michigan State
- Missouri
- Marquette
- Kentucky
- Clemson
- Arizona
- Maryland
- Mississippi State
- Memphis
- Kansas
- Mississippi
- Louisville
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