Indiana Moves Up AP Top-25 Poll; Alabama Jumps Houston, Purdue For No. 1

Indiana basketball climbed four spots in this week's Associated Press Top-25 poll, coming in at No. 14. Purdue dropped to No. 3 after Sunday's loss at Northwestern, and Alabama claimed its first No. 1 ranking of the season. Indiana and Purdue are the only Big Ten team's in this week's rankings.

Indiana is No. 14 in this week's Associated Press Top-25 poll.

The Hoosiers have won eight of their last nine games, including a 66-60 win at home over Rutgers and a 62-61 win at Michigan on Saturday. Trayce Jackson-Davis scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against Michigan, and freshman point guard Jalen Hood-Schifino added 21 points, five assists and four rebounds.

Indiana is now tied for second place with Northwestern in the Big Ten standings at 9-5 in conference play and 18-7 overall. The Hoosiers lost 84-83 to Northwestern in the first matchup on Jan. 8, but they have a chance at revenge on Wednesday night in Evanston, Ill. 

Indiana has appeared in 12 of the 15 AP top-25 polls this season, peaking at No. 10 on Nov. 28. The Hoosiers are ranked for a third consecutive week after dropping out for three weeks following losses to Iowa, Northwestern and Penn State. 

Alabama claimed the No. 1 ranking for the first time this season, remaining undefeated in SEC play with wins over Florida and Auburn this week. Houston stayed at No. 2, while UCLA and Kansas moved into the top five. 

Around the Big Ten, Purdue dropped to No. 3 after a 64-58 loss at Northwestern on Sunday. Rutgers dropped out of the rankings after single-digit losses at Indiana and at Illinois. Purdue and Indiana are the only Big Ten teams in this week's AP top 25, with Northwestern, Illinois, Iowa, Rutgers and Maryland each receiving votes.

As for Indiana's non-conference opponents, Arizona fell four spots to No. 8 after an 88-79 loss at Stanford. Kansas rose four spots to No. 5 with wins over No. 6 Texas and at Oklahoma by 23 points. In their lone game this week, Xavier battled back from a 14-point halftime deficit but lost 69-67 at Butler, dropping to No. 16. North Carolina responded to a loss at Wake Forest with a 20-point home win over Clemson, but the Tar Heels remain outside the rankings. 

Here's the complete AP top 25:

1. Alabama (22-3) (38 first-place votes)

2. Houston (23-2) (22 first-place votes)

3. Purdue (23-3) (two first-place votes)

4. UCLA (21-4)

5. Kansas (20-5)

6. Texas (20-5)

7. Virginia (19-4)

8. Arizona (22-4)

9. Baylor (19-6)

10. Tennessee (19-6)

11. Marquette (20-6)

12. Kansas State (19-6)

13. Gonzaga (21-5)

14. Indiana (18-7)

15. Miami (FL) (20-5)

16. Xavier (19-6)

17. Saint Mary's (22-5)

18. Creighton (17-8)

19. Iowa State (16-8)

20. UConn (19-7)

21. San Diego State (20-5)

22. TCU (17-8)

23. North Carolina State (20-6)

24. Providence (18-7)

25. Florida Atlantic (24-2) 

Others receiving votes: Missouri 114, Northwestern 96, Illinois 84, Pittsburgh 82, Nevada 36, Oklahoma State 23, Texas A&M 16, Oral Roberts 9, Iowa 5, Arkansas 4, Rutgers 2, Charleston 1, Maryland 1, Boise State 1

Related stories on Indiana basketball

• BIG TEN RACE ALIVE: No. 1-ranked Purdue got beat again on Sunday, losing at Northwestern, and suddenly Indiana is just two games out of first in the Big Ten race. Can winning a title really be a real thing? CLICK HERE
• GAME STORY: Indiana didn't allow a point in the final 5:12 and stole a huge road win at Michigan on Saturday night, winning 62-61 with a great defensive effort and 28 points from Trayce Jackson-Davis and 21 from Jalen Hood-Schifino. CLICK HERE
• WHAT WOODSON SAID: Indiana held Michigan scoreless for the final 5:12 of the game on Saturday and got a huge Big Ten road win to move into second place. Hoosiers coach Mike Woodson was thrilled with the win and talked all about it after the game. Here's the full video of his postgame press conference, plus the transcript. CLICK HERE
• WHAT PLAYERS SAID: Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jalen Hood-Schifino were a two-man wrecking crew on Saturday night, helping No 18 beat Michigan 62-61. The two Hoosiers stars met with the media after the game. Here's the video of their press conference, plus the full transcript. CLICK HERE
• PHOTO GALLERY: Indiana traveled to Ann Arbor for a critical Big Ten matchup with Michigan on Saturday, and came away with a 62-61 victory to move into second place in the league standings. Here's our photo gallery, with nearly two dozen great images. CLICK HERE
• WATCH INDIANA DEFENSE ON FINAL PLAY: Michigan had the ball with a chance to secure a much-needed win, but the Indiana defense stood strong to escape with a 62-61 win. Here's the video highlight. CLICK HERE
• WATCH JACKSON-DAVIS DUNKS ON DICKINSON: Trayce Jackson-Davis caught an alley-oop from Jalen Hood-Schifino and dunked the ball through a foul from Hunter Dickinson. Here's the video highlight. CLICK HERE
• WATCH JACKSON-DAVIS OPEN GAME WITH DUNK: Trayce Jackson-Davis continued his strong play on Indiana's first possession of the game with a two-handed slam dunk. Here's the video highlight. CLICK HERE