Men's college basketball rankings: Gonzaga moves up to No. 12 in AP Top 25 poll (2/20/23)

The Zags (23-5, 12-2 WCC) moved up one spot in the poll heading into the final week of WCC regular season action

The Gonzaga men's basketball team climbed to No. 12 in the most recent Associated Press Top 25 college basketball poll on Monday.

Riding a four-game winning streak, the Zags defeated Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine during their California road trip last week. Julian Strawther led the way with 28 points and six triples in a 108-65 rout of the Lions. Two days later, the junior and Drew Timme combined for 62 points to help take down the Waves, 97-88, in the final WCC road game of the regular season.

The Zags will match up with No. 15 Saint Mary's on Saturday. The Gaels rose two spots in the poll with narrow victories over San Diego and BYU last week. 

No. 1 Houston reclaimed the top spot in the poll from Alabama, which had earned its first No. 1 ranking in 20 years last week. A nine-point loss on the road to No. 11 Tennessee dropped the Crimson Tide one spot, allowing the Cougars to ride a seven-game winning streak to the top spot in the poll.

Kansas climbed two spots to No. 3, while UCLA and Purdue rounded out the top five.

The Boilermakers skidded to No. 5 following their 68-54 defeat on the road to Maryland on Thursday. They bounced back on Saturday in a 27-point rout of Ohio State.

Staying in the Big 10, No. 21 Northwestern cracked the top 25 for the first time in two years amid a five-game winning streak. Two weeks after upsetting Purdue, the Wildcats continued to roll with wins over No. 17 Indiana and Iowa.

Also new to the poll this season is No. 25 Texas A&M. The Aggies have won seven of their last eight games ahead of their matchup against the Volunteers on Tuesday.

Gonzaga is back in action on Thursday when San Diego visits The Kennel. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.

Here’s the full AP Top 25 poll for Week 16 of the 2022-23 season:

AP TOP 25 POLL

2. Alabama (23-4)

3. Kansas (22-5)

4. UCLA (23-4)

5. Purdue (24-4)

6. Virginia (21-4)

7. Arizona (24-4)

8. Texas (21-6)

9. Baylor (20-7)

10. Marquette (20-7)

11. Tennessee (20-7)

12. Gonzaga (23-5)

13. Miami (FL) (22-5)

14. Kansas State (20-7)

15. Saint Mary’s (24-5)

16. Xavier (20-7)

17. Indiana (19-8)

18. UConn (20-7)

19. Creighton (18-9)

20. Providence (20-7)

21. Northwestern (20-7)

22. San Diego State (21-5)

23. Iowa State (17-9)

24. TCU (18-9)

25. Texas A&M (20-7)

Others receiving votes: North Carolina State 54, Pittsburgh 34, Maryland 14, Oral Roberts 14, Kentucky 12, Boise State 12, Arkansas 6, Florida Atlantic 6, Charleston 4, Missouri 3, Duke 3, Illinois 2, Kent State 2, Nevada 1, Oklahoma State 1