THE first USA TODAY Sports men's basketball coaches poll of 2024 looks very similar to the final 2023 poll. There are, however, some slight changes near the top.
Purdue maintains the No. 1 ranking for a third straight week. The Boilermakers were chosen first on 23 of 32 ballots. Undefeated Houston has clinched eight first-place finishes and closed the gap on Kansas, but the Jayhawks hold on to second place with just one poll point and a nod. finds itself tied for second with Kansas, with the Jayhawks earning the final nod for first place. Connecticut moves up one spot to No. 4 and Tennessee moves up two spots to No. 5.
Kentucky is the week's biggest player, moving up four spots to No. 6 ahead of Marquette and Illinois, and North Carolina climbs to No. 9.
On the negative side, Arizona drops six spots to 10th after a loss at Stanford. Just a week after taking a big step, Florida Atlantic plunges 11 spots to 17th following a loss to a sub-.500 team from Florida's Gulf Coast.
HIGH 25: Complete the USA TODAY Sports Men's Basketball Poll
Gonzaga barely holds on to 25th place but moves up nine positions after a loss to San Diego State.
Auburn joins the poll at No. 24 as a slumping Creighton scrambles.
