Gonzaga holds off Auburn for No. 1 spot in Ferris Mowers Men's Basketball Coaches Poll

Eddie Timanus, USA TODAY
·1 min read
5

Gonzaga retains the No. 1 ranking in the Ferris Mowers Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll. But its lead has been drastically cut as No. 2 Auburn gains significant ground this week.

The Bulldogs claim 18 of 32 first-place votes this week and remain atop the rankings by seven poll points. But the Tigers, helped by a big win against Kentucky during the week, are up to 13 first-place votes after receiving eight last week.

Arizona holds steady in the No. 3 spot and retains the last No. 1 vote.

Gonzaga forward Anton Watson (22) shoots the ball against San Francisco forward Zane Meeks (5) in the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center.
Gonzaga forward Anton Watson (22) shoots the ball against San Francisco forward Zane Meeks (5) in the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center.

Big 12 powers Baylor and Kansas each move up two positions to grab the No. 4 and 5 spots, respectively. No. 6 Purdue and No. 7 Duke each fall out of the top five after slipping two places. No. 8 UCLA and No. 9 Houston each move up a notch, and Michigan State vaults back into the top 10 after beating Wisconsin, knocking the Badgers down three spots to No. 11.

TOP 25: Complete Ferris Mowers Men's Basketball Coaches Poll

Thanks to last week’s tie for 25th between Connecticut and Tennessee, no new teams enter the poll. The Huskies are up to No. 19, making the week’s biggest jump, with the Volunteers now right behind at No. 20. Iowa State takes the week’s largest drop of 10 positions but holds on at No. 24.

Loyola-Chicago is the lone dropout after a loss to unranked Missouri State.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College basketball: Gonzaga holds off Auburn at No. 1 in men's poll