The Alabama Crimson Tide opened SEC play with a blast in a 107-79 blowout win over Oklahoma at Coleman Coliseum on Saturday.
Alabama’s lopsided victory, coupled with the Florida Gators’ first loss of the season, moved the Crimson Tide (12-2 overall) up one spot to No. 5 in Monday’s new USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
It’s Alabama highest ranking since debuting at No. 2 in the preseason poll before falling to No. 12 after losses to Purdue and Oregon in the first month of a challenging nonconference schedule.
The Crimson Tide head to Columbia to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks (10-4) at Colonial Life Arena Wednesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on SEC Network.
The top four remained the same with Tennessee (14-0) at No. 1 for the fifth consecutive week, followed by Auburn (13-1) at No. 2, Iowa State (12-1) at No. 3, and Duke (12-2) at No. 4.
With Florida (13-1) and Oklahoma (13-1) both losing over the weekend, Rick Barnes’ Volunteers are the last unbeaten team in college basketball. Florida fell three spots to No. 8 after the Gators’ 106-100 loss to Kentucky at Rupp Arena. Oklahoma (13-1) fell six spots to No. 16 after their loss to Alabama.
All told, the SEC had nine teams ranked in the coaches poll Top 25. Kentucky (12-2) moved up four spots to No 7. Texas A&M (12-2) moved into the top 10 as well, up three spots overall to No. 9. Mississippi State (13-1, No. 13) and Ole Miss (12-2, No. 22) were also ranked.
Outside the SEC, West Virginia (11-2) was the biggest riser in Monday’s poll, moving 14 spots into the top 25 at No. 23 after taking down preseason No. 1 Kansas 62-61 last Tuesday in Lawrence. The Jayhawks (10-3) dropped five spots to land at No. 12.
Among ranked teams, Oregon (13-2) suffered the biggest drop, falling eight spots to No. 17 after a 109-77 blowout loss to Illinois.
Full USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll
| Rank | Team | Record | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tennessee | 14-0 | 765 (21) |
| 2 | Auburn | 13-1 | 749 (10) |
| 3 | Iowa State | 12-1 | 711 |
| 4 | Duke | 12-2 | 670 |
| 5 | Alabama | 12-2 | 651 |
| 6 | Marquette | 13-2 | 581 |
| 7 | Kentucky | 12-2 | 560 |
| 8 | Florida | 13-1 | 529 |
| 9 | Texas A&M | 12-2 | 488 |
| 10 | UConn | 12-3 | 461 |
| 11 | Houston | 10-3 | 454 |
| 12 | Kansas | 10-3 | 438 |
| 13 | Mississippi State | 13-1 | 372 |
| 14 | Michigan State | 12-2 | 350 |
| 15 | Illinois | 11-3 | 300 |
| 16 | Oklahoma | 13-1 | 287 |
| 17 | Oregon | 13-2 | 284 |
| 18 | Gonzaga | 12-4 | 246 |
| 19 | Purdue | 11-4 | 228 |
| 20 | Memphis | 12-3 | 192 |
| 21 | UCLA | 11-3 | 147 |
| 22 | Ole Miss | 12-2 | 119 |
| 23 | West Virginia | 11-2 | 110 |
| 24 | Michigan | 11-3 | 98 |
| 25 | Utah State | 14-1 | 73 |
Schools Dropped Out
No. 17 Cincinnati; No. 21 Baylor; No. 24 Maryland;
Others Receiving Votes
Baylor 49; Cincinnati 38; Pittsburgh 32; San Diego State 25; St. John’s 24; Clemson 10; Maryland 9; Georgia 5; Nebraska 4; Arizona 4; Wisconsin 3; Vanderbilt 3; Indiana 3; UC San Diego 1; Texas Tech 1; Arkansas 1;
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