The Clemson Tigers saw a big leap in Monday’s new AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll.
The Tigers (21-5 overall, 13-2 ACC) rose five spots to No. 18 in Monday’s poll after posting back-to-back blowout wins over the rival North Carolina Tar Heels and Florida State Seminoles last week. Those victories came on the heels of the Tigers’ 77-71 upset of then-No. 2 Duke back on Feb. 8 at Littlejohn Coliseum.
Clemson ranks one spot ahead of the No. 19 Arizona Wildcats (17-8) and one spot below No. 17 Kentucky Wildcats (17-8) in the AP poll. In Monday’s new USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Clemson was ranked No. 17.
Brad Brownell’s team was one of the biggest risers in this week’s AP poll, trailing only the Michigan Wolverines (20-5), who moved up eight spots to No. 12, and the Missouri Tigers (19-6), who moved up six spots to No. 15.
Clemson has a midweek bye before facing the SMU Mustangs (19-6, 10-4) Saturday at 4 p.m. ET at Moody Coliseum in Dallas. The game will be televised on ACC Network.
The Auburn Tigers (23-2) remained atop the AP poll at No. 1 for the sixth consecutive week following their 94-85 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide (21-4) in Saturday’s No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown in Tuscaloosa. With Alabama falling two spots to No. 4, the Florida Gators (22-3) rose to No. 2 with the Duke Blue Devils (22-3) holding at No. 3. The Houston Cougars (21-4) rounded out the top five.
Further down the poll, the Louisville Cardinals (20-6) reentered the Top 25 at No. 25.
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