Tennessee has maintained its top position in the USA TODAY Sports men's basketball coaches poll for another week. Over the weekend, they secured a last-second win at Illinois. Remarkably, they received 22 out of 31 first-place votes, solidifying their hold on the throne. Auburn, which was ranked second, saw an increase in its first-place votes from five to nine. This significant shift came after a dominant win against Ohio State, bringing them a bit closer to Tennessee.

SEC's Dominance in the Poll

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) continues to shine in the upper echelons of the poll. No. 4 Kentucky, No. 6 Florida, and No. 7 Alabama give the league an impressive five of the top seven teams. This showcases the strength and competitiveness of the SEC. Iowa State remains steady at No. 3, while Duke moves up a notch to No. 5. No. 8 Kansas, No. 9 Marquette, and No. 10 Oregon complete the top 10. Another SEC squad, Texas A&M, lurks at No. 11, adding to the league's presence.