Indiana Climbs AP Top-25 Poll; Kentucky Joins Rankings

After defeating No. 5 Purdue on Saturday, Indiana moved up two spots to No. 15 in this week's Associated Press top-25 poll. With four consecutive wins, Kentucky joined the rankings for the first time in 2023, along with Maryland and Pittsburgh.

Indiana is No. 15 in Monday's Associated Press AP top-25 poll.

The Hoosiers moved up two spots after an 80-65 loss at Michigan State on Tuesday and a 79-71 win at Purdue on Saturday. Freshman point guard Jalen Hood-Schifino scored 35 points at Mackey Arena to complete Indiana's season sweep over its in-state rival for the first time since 2013.

Indiana has appeared in 14 of the 17 AP top-25 polls this season, peaking at No. 10 on Nov. 28. The Hoosiers are ranked for a fifth consecutive week after dropping out for three weeks following losses to Iowa, Northwestern and Penn State in early January.

The Hoosiers conclude the 2022-23 regular season this week with home games against Iowa on Tuesday and Michigan on Sunday. Indiana is currently tied for second place in the Big Ten with Maryland, Northwestern and Michigan.

Around the Big Ten, Purdue stayed at No. 5 despite its loss to Indiana. The Boilermakers have now lost four of their last six games, but clinched at least a share of the Big Ten title on Sunday after Maryland defeated Northwestern. Virginia, Arizona, Texas and Baylor each lost, so Purdue kept its spot in the top five.

Last week, Northwestern earned its first ranking since 2020, but the Wildcats dropped out of the top 25 after losses at Illinois and Maryland. For the fifth week this season, but first time since Dec. 12, Maryland joined the top 25, coming in at No. 21. The Terrapins secured home victories over Minnesota and Northwestern this week. No. 5 Purdue, No. 15 Indiana and No. 21 Maryland are the Big Ten's only ranked teams, with Northwestern receiving 39 votes.

Houston remained the nation's top-ranked team, extending its win streak to nine games with wins over Tulane and East Carolina. Alabama and Kansas also received first-place votes this week.

As for Indiana's non-conference opponents, Kansas remained at No. 3 after wins at No. 22 TCU and at home against West Virginia. The Jayhawks are in line for another No. 1 seed, hoping to repeat as national champions. Arizona fell one spot to No. 8 after losing its only game of the week, 89-88 on a buzzer beater at home against Arizona State. 

Xavier went 1-1 this week with a one-point loss against Villanova and a 22-point win at Seton Hall, moving to down three spots to No. 19. North Carolina's NCAA Tournament hopes were in serious trouble a week ago, but the Tar Heels won at Notre Dame and at home against No. 13 Virginia this week. North Carolina remained outside the top 25 and did not receive votes, but they're making a push to sneak in the NCAA Tournament.

Here's this week's complete AP top-25 poll.

1. Houston (27-2) (49 first-place votes)

2. Alabama (25-4) (five first-place votes)

3. Kansas (24-5) (eight first-place votes)

4. UCLA (25-4)

5. Purdue (24-5)

6. Marquette (23-6)

7. Baylor (21-8)

8. Arizona (24-5)

9. Texas (22-7)

10. Gonzaga (25-5)

11. Kansas State (22-7)

12. Tennessee (21-8)

13. Virginia (21-6)

14. UConn (22-7)

15. Indiana (20-9)

16. Miami (FL) (23-6)

17. Saint Mary's (25-6)

18. San Diego State (23-5)

19. Xavier (21-8)

20. Providence (21-8)

21. Maryland (20-9)

22. TCU (19-10)

23. Kentucky (20-9)

24. Texas A&M (21-8)

25. Pittsburgh (21-8)

Other teams receiving votes: Creighton 87, Duke 78, Oral Roberts 40, Northwestern 39, FAU 25, Iowa St. 20, Nevada 17, Missouri 16, Arkansas 7, NC State 6, Coll of Charleston 6, Clemson 5, Memphis 4, Southern Cal 3, Boise St. 3, VCU 1, West Virginia 1.

Related stories on Indiana basketball

• 'CRAZY MAN' GALLOWAY: Indiana guard Trey Galloway scored 11 points with five assists, four rebounds and zero turnovers to help the Hoosiers sweep the season series over Purdue with a 79-71 win. He also pressured Braden Smith, keeping the Purdue offense uncomfortable throughout the game. CLICK HERE
• GAME STORY: For the first time in 10 years, Indiana swept its season series with Purdue, winning 79-71 over the fifth-ranked Boilermakers on Saturday night thanks to 35 points from freshman guard Jalen Hood-Schifino. It was the Hoosiers' 20th win of the season, and the second over Purdue in three weeks. CLICK HERE
• WHAT WOODSON SAID: Indiana coach Mike Woodson met with the media after the Hoosiers' 79-71 win over Purdue at Mackey Arena. He discussed Indiana's defense, Jalen Hood-Schifino's 35 points, winning without a big game from Trayce Jackson-Davis and more. Here's the full transcript, with video attached. CLICK HERE
• UNEXPECTED BIG-MAN BATTLE: Purdue's Zach Edey and Indiana's Trayce Jackson-Davis provided one of the best individual battles of the season on Feb. 4, but Purdue made sure Jackson-Davis' scoring wouldn't take over the second game. Edey was his usual, dominant self, and Jackson-Davis battled foul trouble and found other ways to contribute as Jalen Hood-Schifino's 35 points led to a 79-71 Indiana win. CLICK HERE
• PHOTO GALLERY: The No. 17 Indiana Hoosiers traveled to West Lafayette for the second of two in-state matchups with the No. 5 Purdue Boilermakers this season. Mackey Arena was hot but the Hoosiers were hotter, as Indiana won 79-71 to sweep the season series. CLICK HERE
• WATCH HOOD-SCHIFINO'S HOT START: Indiana freshman point guard Jalen Hood-Schifino had the hot hand early on against Purdue, scoring 15 points in roughly 12 minutes of action. CLICK HERE
• WATCH GALLOWAY'S THREE-POINTER: Trey Galloway knocked down a 3-pointer from the right wing early in the first half against Purdue on Saturday. CLICK HERE
• WATCH THOMPSON'S DUNK: Indiana found its stride at the end of the first half and the start of the second half, going on a 17-2 run in five minutes and 10 seconds, capped off by this Race Thompson dunk. CLICK HERE