Tennessee has once again claimed the top spot in the AP men's Top 25 poll for the second consecutive week. The Volunteers, with a remarkable record of 10-0, received a substantial 1,537 votes and an impressive 50 first-place votes. This achievement has kept them ahead of No. 2 Auburn, which showcased its dominance by cruising to a 91-53 victory against Ohio State on Saturday. The Tigers, with a 9-1 record, have made significant ground from last week's poll, totaling 1,483 votes and securing 12 first-place votes.

Volunteers' Impressive Week Away from Home

Tennessee's recent performance has been nothing short of outstanding. They came off a 2-0 week away from home, defeating Miami 75-62 in New York on Tuesday and Illinois 66-64 in Champaign on Saturday. The game against Illinois was particularly thrilling, with Jordan Gainey's buzzer-beating layup securing the victory. These wins have further strengthened Tennessee's position in the poll.

SEC's Strong Presence in the Top 7

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is making its mark in the top rankings. Kentucky jumped Duke for the No. 4 spot after defeating Louisville 93-85 on Saturday. Sixth-ranked Alabama jumped one spot, and seventh-ranked Florida jumped two spots from last week's poll. This gives the SEC five of the top seven spots, including three of the top five. The conference's dominance showcases the high level of competition within it.

Kansas' Comeback and Rise in the Poll

Kansas regrouped from its first two losses of the season a week ago and moved up two spots after a 75-60 win over NC State. The Jayhawks dropped from the top team to No. 10 last week but have now risen to No. 8. This comeback shows their resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks.

Big Jumps in the Poll for UConn and UCLA

UConn (8-3) and UCLA (9-1) made significant jumps in the poll. The Huskies moved up seven spots to No. 11 after a tight win over Gonzaga, which dropped five spots. The Bruins rose six spots to No. 18 thanks to a three-point victory against Arizona. These teams have shown their potential and are making their presence felt in the college basketball landscape.

Dayton's First Appearance on the AP Poll

Dayton (9-2) made its first appearance on the AP poll this season, garnering 281 points and a No. 22 ranking after a 71-63 home win over Marquette. This is a significant milestone for the Flyers, who have now been ranked in four of the last six seasons. Coach Anthony Grant's success at Dayton is a testament to his coaching abilities and the team's performance.

Auburn or Tennessee at No. 1?

There is a debate about whether Auburn or Tennessee should be ranked No. 1. I have kept Auburn at No. 1 over Tennessee, as the Tigers lead college basketball with five wins over KenPom top-40 teams. Only one team (Marquette) has four, and then there's a group of five with three. Tennessee has two wins over top-40 teams. While Tennessee's argument got stronger with Saturday's win at Illinois, Auburn still has the better resume. Auburn has a chance to further enhance its resume this week with a game against Purdue in Birmingham.