Nebraska Men's Basketball Receives AP Poll Votes for Second Consecutive Week

Despite winning two more games to improve 6-1, the Huskers slipped five spots among unranked teams receiving votes.

Brice Williams (3) sends a free throw. / Amarillo Mullen

Nebraska men's basketball slipped slightly after a busy week in college basketball, but remained in the Top 25 conversation for the second straight week.

Following Sunday's 103-72 home win over North Florida, the Huskers (6-1) received votes in the latest edition of the Associated Press top 25 rankings. Despite playing two contests - including a 96-79 victory at Pinnacle Bank Arena over South Dakota on Wednesday - the Huskers garnered less support from poll voters. After peaking at 35th in teams receiving votes last week, Nebraska slid to a tie for No. 40 in Monday's poll.

The Huskers first received votes after their 74-63 upset of then-No. 14 Creighton on Nov. 22 in Omaha. The Big Red continue to aim to return to the AP rankings for the first time since 2018, when the Huskers reached No. 24 on Dec. 3 and Dec. 31.

Connor Essegian sends a three. / Amarillo Mullen

Nebraska's lone loss of the season so far came to Saint Mary's, which also received votes in this week's poll and would be ranked No. 47. Creighton has been on a free-fall since losing to the Huskers, continuing to receive votes but falling out of the top 25 altogether.

The Huskers are one of 12 teams in the Big Ten Conference receiving top 25 consideration from the Associated Press voters. Only four teams are ranked, peaking at No. 8 as Purdue (7-1) vaulted up five spots while No. 11 Wisconsin (8-0) continues to climb the rankings. Oregon (8-0) stayed firm at No. 12 while Illinois (6-1) remained at No. 19.

Michigan State, Michigan, Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio State, Maryland, and UCLA all received votes in this week's poll as well. The Hoosiers fell out of the top 25 after being as high as No. 14 last week, while Illinois when from unranked to in the top 25.

Nov 27, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; San Diego State Aztecs guard Nick Boyd (2) shoots underneath Oregon Ducks forward Supreme Cook (7) during the second half at MGM Grand Garden Arena. / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The Big 12 Conference remains atop the college basketball mountain as No. 1 Kansas (7-0) earned 35 first-place votes, holding off the SEC's three best teams for the top spot. No. 6 Iowa State (5-1), No. 14 Cincinnati (6-0), No. 15 Baylor (5-2), and No. 17 Houston (4-3) rounded out the conference's five spots in the rankings. The Cougars had the biggest drop of the week for the Big 12, down 11 spots from the previous rankings.

The Southeastern Conference featured eight programs in the top 25 with three in the top four. No. 2 Auburn (7-0) received the remaining 26 first-place votes, with No. 3 Tennessee (7-0) and No. 4 Kentucky (7-0) jumping up four spots each. No. 10 Alabama (6-2), No. 13 Florida (8-0), No. 21 Oklahoma (7-0), No. 22 Texas A&M (6-2), and No. 23 Ole Miss (6-1) rounded out the SEC's spots in the AP Poll.

The Big East suffered the biggest casulaties of the Thanksgiving break, as RV Creighton fell out of the top 25 while previously rated No. 2 UConn (5-3) dropped three games in Hawaii to fall 23 spots to No. 25. It was not all doom and gloom for the Big East, however, as Marquette (8-0) quietly climbed to No. 5 up another five spots in the polls.

Nov 25, 2024; Lahaina, Hawaii, USA; Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts to play as his team takes on the Memphis Tigers during an NCAA college basketball game at Lahaina Civic Center. / Marco Garcia-Imagn Images

The Atlantic Coast Conference added another program into the top 10 as Duke (5-2) rose two spots to No. 9, Pittsburgh (7-1) sits at No. 18 and North Carlina (4-3) fell eight spots to No. 20. The non-major conference representatives included No. 7 Gonzaga (7-1) falling four spots. No. 16 Memphis (6-1), and No. 24 San Diego State (4-2).

Nebraska won its first top-25 battle of the season against Creighton and will not face another currently ranked foe until Jan. 12 when the Huskers visit West Lafayette to battle No. 8 Purdue.

Associated Press Top 25

1. Kansas
2. Auburn
3. Tennessee
4. Kentucky
5. Marquette
6. Iowa State
7. Gonzaga
8. Purdue
9. Duke
10. Alabama
11. Wisconsin
12. Oregon
13. Florida
14. Cincinnati
15. Baylor
16. Memphis
17. Houston
18. Pittsburgh
19. Illinois
20. North Carolina
21. Oklahoma
22. Texas A&M
23. Ole Miss
24. San Diego State
25. UConn

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