In the latest edition of the AP Top 25 men's basketball poll, released on Monday, there have been some significant changes in the top 10 rankings. The top two spots remain unchanged, with UConn holding onto the number one spot and Purdue sitting comfortably in second place. Nonetheless, several prominent teams have fallen out of the top 10, including Duke.

Duke, who narrowly escaped a home game against Georgia Tech before suffering an 80-76 defeat to Pitt inside Cameron Indoor on Saturday, has experienced a significant drop in the rankings. The Blue Devils have fallen five spots to now claim the 12th position in the poll. Another team that suffered a similar fate is Baylor, which dropped six spots to 15th place.

Among the previous top-10 teams, Memphis experienced the most significant fall, plummeting nine spots to number 19. This decline comes after consecutive losses in AAC play. The shake-up in the rankings is a result of a tumultuous week that saw some unexpected outcomes, causing reevaluation of the teams at the top.

UConn managed to retain its number one spot in the poll for a second consecutive week, earning 44 first-place votes. Purdue closely followed in second place, receiving 17 first-place votes. Voters only cast first-place votes for these two teams, emphasizing the stabilization of the rankings after a period of chaos in college basketball.

Kansas, previously ranked third, dropped to seventh after a road loss to West Virginia. This shift allowed North Carolina, Houston, and Tennessee to each move up one spot in the top five. North Carolina achieved a season-high ranking of number three after extending its winning streak to eight games with victories over Louisville and Boston College. Houston and Tennessee claimed the fourth and fifth spots, respectively. Kentucky narrowly missed the top five, climbing two places to claim the number six position.

The bottom half of the top 10 also saw some reshuffling. Auburn rose five spots to eighth place, while Arizona jumped three spots to ninth place. Illinois climbed four spots to secure the tenth spot in the rankings. Auburn proved their dominance by overpowering Vanderbilt and Ole Miss in resounding fashion, improving their season record to 16-2 and remaining undefeated in SEC play.

As the college basketball season progresses, these changes in the AP Top 25 poll depict a competitive landscape in which strong teams must remain on their toes to secure their spots in the rankings. The unpredictability of the sport ensures that rankings are subject to constant revision, making each game crucial for teams to solidify their standing.