Purdue Basketball Edges out Alabama for No. 1 Ranking in Latest AP Top 25 Poll

Purdue earned 39 first-place votes to reclaim the No. 1 ranking in this week's Associated Press College Basketball Top 25 poll after improving to 19-1 on the season. Alabama came in at No. 2 and garnered the remaining 23 first-place votes.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — It was a tight race for the top spot in the national rankings, but Purdue moved up to No. 1 after earning 39 first-place votes in this week's Associated Press College basketball Top 25 poll. The team went 3-0 over the last seven days. 

The Boilermakers, who spent four weeks at No. 1 before suffering their first loss of the season, have won six straight games to improve to 19-1 and 8-1 in Big Ten play. Alabama, sitting at 17-2 overall, has won its last eight games by an average of nearly 21 points after losing 100-90 to Gonzaga back on Dec. 17. 

The Crimson Tide garnered 23 first-place votes for their recent dominance. Houston fell to No. 3 after a one-point loss to Temple on Sunday, while Tennessee and Kansas State rounded out the top five. 

Purdue is coming off victories over Michigan State, Minnesota and Maryland, which included a narrow win against the Spartans on the road and a scare from the Terrapins on Sunday inside Mackey Arena. 

It took a career performance and a game-winning basket from junior center and National Player of the Year frontrunner Zach Edey to escape the Breslin Center with a one-point win. After cruising to a victory over Minnesota in Minneapolis, Maryland came to West Lafayette and nearly erased a double-digit halftime deficit as Purdue survived at home. 

The Boilermakers were the only Big Ten team ranked in the poll, with Indiana, Rutgers, Michigan State, Illinois and Wisconsin all receiving votes. 

AP Top 25 college basketball poll, Jan. 23

Here's a look is the Associated Press Top 25 college basketball poll for Week 12, with Big Ten teams in bold.

1. Purdue (19-1) 
2. Alabama (17-2)
3. Houston (18-2)
4. Tennessee (16-3)
5. Kansas State (17-2)
6. Arizona (17-3)
7. Virginia (15-3)
8. UCLA (17-3)
9. Kansas (16-3)
10. Texas (16-3)
11. TCU (15-4)
12. Iowa State (14-4)
13. Xavier (16-4)
14. Gonzaga (17-4)
15. Auburn (16-3)
16. Marquette (16-5)
17. Baylor (14-5)
18. Charleston (21-1)
19. UConn (16-5)
20. Miami (15-4)
21. Florida Atlantic (19-1)
22. Saint Mary's (18-4)
23. Providence (15-5)
24. Clemson (16-4)
25. New Mexico (18-2)

Others receiving votes:

Duke 102, Indiana 61, San Diego State 57, Rutgers 31, Kent State 24, North Carolina 12, Michigan State 10, Creighton 9, Illinois 9, Arkansas 9, Missouri 8, Wisconsin 6, North Carolina State 4, Kentucky 3, VCU 2, Boise State 2, Memphis 1, Wake Forest 1, Oral Roberts 1

Related stories on Purdue basketball

• Purdue Basketball Holds off Maryland for 58-55 Win: Purdue held on for a three-point win against Maryland despite 15 turnovers on Sunday at Mackey Arena. Junior center Zach Edey was the only Boilermaker to score in double figures, notching 24 points while pulling down 16 rebounds. CLICK HERE
• Purdue Cruises to 61-39 Win at Minnesota: Purdue led by as many as 29 points on the road against Minnesota, improving to 18-1 for the first time in program history after Thursday night's win. Freshman guard Braden Smith led the way with 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. CLICK HERE
• Zach Edey Delivers Game-Winner Against Michigan State: Purdue junior center Zach Edey scored a career-high 32 points on 13-of-26 shooting to lead the team in a 64-63 win over Michigan State on the road. CLICK HERE

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