Purdue sits atop the boys’s Associated Press Top 25 poll for the third straight week because it prepares to enter its Huge Ten slate.

The Boilermakers solely had one sport final week, cruising to an 80-53 victory over Jap Kentucky. That was sufficient for them to once more fend off Kansas for the No. 1 rating.

AP Ballot High 25

For probably the most half, the week was pretty gentle on consequential outcomes, particularly when contrasted with the chaotic first few months. Like Purdue, Kansas and Houston had a light-weight schedule. The Jayhawks simply dealt with Wichita State 86-67, and the Cougars almost doubled up Pennsylvania 81-42.

One main upset acquired in just below the wire as Stanford rode a sizzling capturing evening to 100-82 conquer then-fourth-ranked Arizona on Sunday. The Cardinal knocked down 16 of their 25 makes an attempt from lengthy vary.

Kanaan Carlyle had 28 factors and eight rebounds off the bench, whereas Spencer Jones was an environment friendly 8-of-9 from the sphere en path to a 21-point exhibiting.

“I believe it will completely be the height second of this season for 2023,” Cardinal head coach Jerod Haase said. “For 2024, we will begin from scratch and see new peaks and new highs. Normally I inform them to benefit from the win till midnight. This time I instructed them they may take pleasure in this one for the remainder of the yr.”

Wildcats followers is perhaps rising considerably involved with the staff’s present route. After beginning 8-0 and climbing to No. 1 within the polls, Arizona has dropped three of its final 5. Granted, two of these had been in opposition to ranked groups, however the 18-point drubbing by Stanford may very well be a warning signal.

Earlier than Stanford’s shocker to shut out the week, Florida Gulf Coast had delivered the largest shock.

Florida Atlantic moved up seven spots to No. 7 after handing the Wildcats their second loss. Dusty Could’s squad proceeded to journey up on the highway in opposition to FGCU, falling 72-68.

“Hat’s off to Florida Gulf Coast, they performed extraordinarily properly,” Could said after the sport. “They stepped up and made well timed performs. Aside from our rebounding benefit, they in all probability outplayed us in each different aspect of the sport.”

Zach Anderson and Dallion Johnson mixed for 39 factors, and their seven made threes had been greater than FAU collectively knocked down (4).

The Owls fell 10 spots to No. 17 within the latest AP ballot.

Waiting for Week 9, loads of followers will likely be circling Purdue’s battle with Illinois in West Lafayette on Friday. The Preventing Illini will face an enormous take a look at, not solely as a result of they’re enjoying the No. 1 staff but in addition attributable to truth they’re with out Terrence Shannon Jr., who stays suspended indefinitely.

North Carolina received back-to-back video games after successive losses to UConn and Kentucky in December. Occurring the highway and besting Clemson would symbolize a powerful assertion in what’s shaping as much as be a wide-open ACC title race.