What led to Duke's ascension to the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 poll?

Duke's ascension to No. 1 was due to Auburn's back-to-back losses, coupled with Duke's strong performances, including wins over Wake Forest and North Carolina.

How did Houston move up in the rankings?

Houston moved up to No. 2 by securing wins over Kansas and Baylor, maintaining a 10-game winning streak and earning five first-place votes.

What are the implications of Auburn's drop to No. 3?

Auburn's drop to No. 3, despite being the No. 1 seed in the SEC Tournament, reflects its recent losses to Texas A&M and Alabama, impacting its momentum heading into postseason play.

How do conference tournaments affect NCAA Tournament seeding?

Conference tournaments can significantly impact NCAA Tournament seeding as teams' performances can either solidify their positions or create opportunities for bubble teams to secure spots.

6 sources·Misc

Duke Tops AP Poll as Conference Tournaments Approach

Duke ascends to No. 1 in the AP Top 25 men's basketball poll, ending Auburn's reign, as teams gear up for conference tournaments.

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The ACC has some of the best teams in the country, giving pure excitement around this tournament.
Predicting 2025 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament
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While the race is on for the No. 1 overall seed, so is the battle for the final spots that will be awarded on Selection Sunday.
First and last spots in March Madness riding on outcome of conference tournaments
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Duke takes over the No. 1 position for the first time this season.
Duke now No. 1 in USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll rankings after Auburn falls
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Mar 10th, 2025, 4:31 PM ET

Summary

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Duke has claimed the top spot in the AP Top 25 men's basketball poll, ending Auburn's eight-week run at No. 1. After back-to-back losses, Auburn drops to third behind Houston. Duke's coach Jon Scheyer noted the importance of focusing on performance as the postseason approaches rather than the ranking. The Blue Devils secured their position with recent wins against Wake Forest and North Carolina. Meanwhile, several teams are vying for NCAA Tournament positions as conference tournaments approach, with bubble teams potentially affecting the final bracket standings.

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Duke ascended to the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 following Auburn's recent losses, as the Blue Devils prepare for the ACC Tournament.
The NCAA tournament implications are significant as several teams are on the bubble, with potential for 'bid stealers' in conference tournaments.
The ACC Tournament features strong matchups, with predictions indicating a competitive field and potential outcomes that could influence NCAA Tournament seedings.

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