Connecticut returns to No. 1 in final men’s basketball poll before tournament

For the Connecticut Huskies, this has already been a history-making season in a number of respects. But while some history is with them, some is going against them as they embark on their bid for a rare repeat as men’s college basketball champions.

For what it’s worth, they’ll enter the NCAA tournament as the No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. UConn was the unanimous first choice by the 32 voters after being the lone projected top regional seed to claim its conference tournament title.

So should this be a welcome development if you’re a Huskies’ fan? Recent trends say no, as the last team to be ranked No. 1 heading into March Madness and actually bring home the title was Kentucky in 2012. But there’s also no disputing that the Big East champs are performing at an extremely high level on the eve of the Big Dance.

Houston slips just one spot to No. 2 after losing in the Big 12 title game to Iowa State. That result also boosted the Cyclones two notches to No. 4, their highest ranking since being ranked second in December of 2015. Purdue stays put at No. 3 despite its overtime loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten semifinals.

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North Carolina and Tennessee each fall a spot to No. 5 and 6, respectively. Auburn vaults five places to No. 7 after winning the SEC tournament. Marquette, Arizona and Illinois round out the top 10.

In other significant moves, Saint Mary’s climbs five positions to No. 15 after its convincing triumph in the West Coast Conference finale over No. 16 Gonzaga. Kansas, short-handed in an early exit from the Big 12 tourney, falls to No. 20, its lowest position since a brief absence from the top 25 in 2021.

No. 23 Florida, No. 24 Wisconsin and No. 25 San Diego State join the poll, replacing Nevada, Dayton and Washington State.