Texas Tech cracked the top 10 of the Associated Press Top 25 released Monday for the first time this season, also a first for new head coach Mark Adams.
The Red Raiders (18-5) rose to No. 9 after beating archrival Texas last week. Texas Tech also won on the road at West Virginia.
Texas Tech has seen its NCAA championship odds shorten from +3500 to open the season to +2500 at BetMGM, where the Red Raiders’ title hopes are still being backed by only 1.4 percent of the bets and 1.0 percent of the money wagered.
Auburn (22-1) avoided an upset over the weekend to keep its hold on No. 1 with 48 first-place votes while Gonzaga (19-2) holds steady at No. 2. The Tigers were taken to the wire at Georgia on Saturday before pulling out a 74-72 win.
Purdue (20-3) climbed one spot to No. 3, Arizona (19-2) moved up to No. 4, and No. 5 Kentucky (19-4) held steady.
Purdue leads the pack with 8.3 percent of the bets and is second with 9.8 percent of the money wagered on the NCAA champion backing the Boilermakers, who are currently being offered at +100.
Auburn (+800) is now second with 7.7 percent of the bets, while Arizona (+1000) has taken the lead with 10.1 percent of the money, making the Wildcats the biggest liability at BetMGM ahead of Auburn and Kentucky.
Gonzaga remains the betting favorite at +500, down from +600 to open the season.
Houston (20-2), Duke (19-3) and Kansas (19-3) precede the Red Raiders at No. 9 while Baylor (19-4) fell to No. 10.
UCLA (16-4) is this week’s biggest faller after a triple-overtime loss to Arizona State late Saturday night. The Bruins, who also lost at Arizona, dropped nine spots to No. 12.
Marquette (16-7) is the week’s biggest riser, jumping six spots to No. 18 after its win over Villanova.
Providence (20-2) rose four spots to No. 11, its highest ranking since 2015-16.
Murray State (22-2) is back in the Top 25 for the first time in nearly seven years. The No. 23 Racers have won 12 straight since a loss to then-No. 12 Auburn on Dec. 22.
No. 22 Saint Mary’s (19-4) makes its first appearance in two years.
Iowa State and LSU dropped out of the poll.
–Field Level Media
