It wasn’t the prettiest week for Kentucky basketball, but they went 2 – 0 with wins over Colgate and in-state rival Louisville. Both games were perhaps closer than expected, but the Wildcats won and now move up a spot in the new USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
Kentucky moved up from number five to number four, but are still the third highest SEC team. The Tennessee Volunteers are number one, with the Auburn Tigers at number two.
Related: Lamont Butler is Kentucky’s most important player
The Florida Gators just missed the top five, and came in at number six, while the Alabama Crimson Tide are the fifth SEC team in the top ten. Overall, nine teams from the SEC are ranked in the top 25, with another three receiving votes.
Kentucky continues to out-perform expectations. They are now 10 – 1 on the year, with a couple of wins over top ten teams. For a roster hastily rebuilt through the transfer portal, it’s doing pretty well.
Up next for the Cats is Ohio State on December 21st.
Here is the full coaches poll this week:
| Rank | Team | Record | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tennessee | 10-0 | 765 (22) |
| 2 | Auburn | 9-1 | 744 (9) |
| 3 | Iowa State | 9-1 | 708 |
| 4 | Kentucky | 10-1 | 664 |
| 5 | Duke | 8-2 | 638 |
| 6 | Florida | 10-0 | 610 |
| 7 | Alabama | 8-2 | 601 |
| 8 | Kansas | 8-2 | 518 |
| 9 | Marquette | 9-2 | 496 |
| 10 | Oregon | 10-1 | 454 |
| 11 | Texas A&M | 9-2 | 368 |
| 12 | Houston | 6-3 | 363 |
| 13 | UConn | 8-3 | 337 |
| 14 | Gonzaga | 7-3 | 328 |
| 15 | Oklahoma | 10-0 | 308 |
| 16 | Ole Miss | 9-1 | 282 |
| 17 | Purdue | 8-3 | 264 |
| 18 | UCLA | 9-1 | 263 |
| 19 | Michigan State | 8-2 | 178 |
| 20 | Cincinnati | 8-1 | 146 |
| 21 | Michigan | 8-2 | 113 |
| 22 | Memphis | 8-2 | 111 |
| 23 | San Diego State | 7-2 | 110 |
| 24 | Dayton | 9-2 | 92 |
| 25 | Mississippi State | 9-1 | 92 |
Schools Dropped Out
No. 16 Clemson; No. 22 Wisconsin; No. 25 Baylor;
Others Receiving Votes
Clemson 87; Baylor 79; Illinois 50; St. John’s 48; Drake 44; Utah State 40; Arkansas 31; Maryland 29; Georgia 23; Wisconsin 22; Pittsburgh 21; Missouri 18; North Carolina 9; West Virginia 5; Creighton 5; Texas Tech 3; Penn State 2;