Men's college basketball rankings: Gonzaga down to No. 15 in AP Top 25 Poll [12/18/23]

Bulldogs drop five spots following loss to UConn in Seattle

It hasn't been an ideal December for Gonzaga men's basketball.

The Bulldogs (8-3) dropped five spots to No. 15 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll released Monday, a few days after suffering a 76-63 loss to No. 5 UConn in Seattle. Gonzaga never led and trailed by double-digits for most of the night as it shot 39% from the field and 2-for-12 on 3-point attempts. The Huskies (10-1) were in control throughout behind the efforts of Donovan Clingan (21 points) and a hot start shooting the ball in the first half (7-of-9 from 3).

Following its second defeat in the last week, Gonzaga slotted at No. 15 in the poll is its lowest ranking since it was 16th in Week 15 of last season's poll. The five-spot drop was the program's farthest fall since dropping eight spots in last season's Week 12 poll, which came out after the upset loss to Loyola Marymount.

The Zags have two more chances to pick up Quad 1 victories in nonconference play, starting with a home game against San Diego State on Dec. 29. The final opportunity to boost the resume will be on Feb. 10 at No. 9 Kentucky, which jumped five spots in this week's poll following a win over North Carolina in Atlanta on Saturday.

Watch: Gonzaga Nation interview with Ryan Nembhard

Elsewhere, Purdue reclaimed its spot atop the rankings with a convincing 92-84 win over then-No. 1 Arizona in Indianapolis on Saturday. The Boilermakers (10-1), who have wins over Gonzaga, Tennessee, Marquette, Alabama and now Arizona on neutral site floors, handed the Wildcats (8-1) their first loss of the season behind 27 points from Fletcher Loyer and 26 from Braden Smith. Zach Edey put up 22 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

Kansas remained at No. 2, while Houston leapfrogged Arizona for the No. 3 spot as one of four unbeaten teams remaining. No. 7 Oklahoma (10-0), No. 20 James Madison (10-0) and No. 25 Ole Miss (10-0) were all present in the latest rankings. No. 10 Baylor (9-1) dropped four spots after suffering its first loss in an 88-64 beatdown from Michigan State.

Here is the complete AP Top 25 poll:

1. Purdue (10-1)

2. Kansas (10-1)

3. Houston (11-0)

4. Arizona (8-1)

5. UConn (10-1)

6. Marquette (9-2)

7. Oklahoma (10-0)

8. Tennessee (8-3)

9. Kentucky (8-2)

10. Baylor (9-1)

11. North Carolina (7-3)

12. Creighton (9-2)

13. Illinois (8-2)

14. Florida Atlantic (9-2)

15. Gonzaga (8-3)

16. Colorado State (10-1)

17. BYU (17-1)

18. Clemson (9-1)

19. Texas (8-2)

20. James Madison (10-0)

21. Duke (7-3)

22. Virginia (9-1)

23. Memphis (8-2)

24. Wisconsin (8-3)

25. Ole Miss (10-0)

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES:

Miami 97, Auburn 87, Colorado 84, Utah 37, Iowa St. 24, Ohio St. 12, Michigan St. 10, TCU 10, Texas A&M 9, San Diego St. 8, Northwestern 5, Providence 5, Alabama 3, Dayton 3, Nevada 3, New Mexico 2, Grand Canyon 2, Washington 2, Saint Joseph's 2, South Carolina 1, Mississippi St. 1.

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