Kentucky Makes Return to AP Poll After Auburn Demolition

For the first time in nine weeks, Kentucky basketball has a number next to its name.

The Week 17 Associated Press Top 25 Poll has been released, and the Wildcats have crept back in, sitting at No. 23.

After beginning the season as the No. 4 team in the country, Kentucky suffered a slow decline out of the rankings. It was a double-overtime loss to Michigan State in the Champions Classic on Nov. 15, and an 88-72 drubbing at the hands of Gonzaga in Spokane on Nov. 20 that started the skid. That pair of losses dropped UK 11 spots to No. 15.

The Wildcats made it back to No. 13 after defeating Michigan and Yale, but a horrid performance in the CBS Sports Classic resulted in a 63-53 loss to UCLA, bringing UK back down to No. 19.

It would be a 14-point loss at Missouri on Dec. 28 that flung coach John Calipari's Cats out of the AP Poll for what felt like for good. Kentucky has since gone through a tumultuous stretch of SEC games, but will enter the final week of the regular season on a four-game winning streak.

The reintroduction to the rankings affirms Kentucky's season-turnaround from a team that was considered dead to a team that's now considered by some to be a dark horse to make a run in the NCAA Tournament.

UK is one of four SEC teams ranked in the new poll, joining Alabama (No. 2), Tennessee (No. 12) and Texas A&M (No. 24). Both Missouri and Arkansas are receiving votes. The Cats will finish their regular season in Fayetteville against the Razorbacks on Saturday.

"You don't have to read it, look at it. I said it, people tried to talk us out of the NCAA tournament," Calipari said after his team destroyed Auburn 86-54 over the weekend. "They tried. They're out. They're done. They're awful. They're this. You play yourself in or play yourself out."

Before traveling to play Arkansas, Kentucky will play its final home game of the season, welcoming the Vanderbilt Commodores to Rupp Arena for Senior Day on Wednesday night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. EST and will air on the SEC Network.

More on Kentucky's NCAA Tournament résumé HERE.

More on the win over Auburn HERE.

More on Oscar Tshiebwe's improved defense HERE.

Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.

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