Wisconsin basketball fell out of the latest AP Poll on Monday.
After being ranked No. 20 in the poll’s Week 6 installation, Wisconsin earned just 19 points in this week’s update to fall from a top 25 ranking. The Badgers’ tough road loss to Illinois, which followed back-to-back losses to Michigan and Marquette, appears to have urged voters to drop the team from the list.
Marquette holds the No. 9 position in the latest poll, Michigan boasts the No. 24 spot and Illinois pocketed 70 votes, just outside of the top 25.
Tennessee remains in the No. 1 slot after a buzzer-beating win over the Fighting Illini improved it to 10-0 on the season. The Volunteers are followed by Auburn, Iowa State, Kentucky and Duke. No. 11 UConn, which collected a win over No. 13 Gonzaga at Madison Square Garden, made the largest jump in this week’s installation.
Big Ten teams in the top 25 include No. 10 Oregon, No. 16 Purdue, No. 18 UCLA, No. 20 Michigan State and No. 24 Michigan. Alongside Wisconsin, Penn State, Illinois, Maryland and Indiana, were also ‘receiving votes.’
Here is a look at the full updated AP Poll top 25:
BREAKING: Week 7 College Basketball AP Poll🏀https://t.co/UZWYj3DgvQ pic.twitter.com/E3WFZXQrox
— On3 (@On3sports) December 16, 2024
Wisconsin returns to the hardwood on Dec. 22 against Detroit Mercy for a chance to improve to 10-3 before the remaining Big Ten schedule.
UW’s convincing win over Butler on Dec. 14 provided fans with some clarity on how big men Steven Crowl and Nolan Winter look when at their best. The two combined for 38 points and 14 rebounds in the nine-point triumph to quell the Bulldogs’ front court attack.
Nonetheless, Greg Gard’s team faces a brutal second half schedule. Starting Jan. 3, the Badgers will tip off against 18 consecutive conference foes before the Big Ten Tournament.
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