Two weeks into the 2024 - 25 college basketball season, a remarkable shift has occurred within the Big 12 Conference. Currently, three teams from the Big 12 hold positions within the top 10 of the AP Top 25 Poll. No. 1 Kansas leads the way, followed closely by No. 5 Iowa State, which has climbed two spots, and No. 7 Houston, which has also moved up one spot. This showcases the conference's strength and competitiveness.

Teams on the Rise and Fall

While the top three teams from the Big 12 are making waves, the other three teams in the rankings have faced some setbacks. No. 13 Baylor, No. 17 Arizona, and No. 18 Cincinnati all dropped this week. Arizona took the most significant hit, plummeting eight spots after a tough 103 - 88 loss to Wisconsin. It's a reminder that in college basketball, one loss can have a significant impact on a team's standing.However, there were some pleasant surprises as well. Arizona State, with a record of 4 - 1, managed to secure only two votes despite an impressive 87 - 76 win over a highly regarded Grand Canyon team. This shows that sometimes, a team's performance may not always translate into the poll rankings.

Teams Receiving Votes

The Big 12 Conference's influence is not limited to the ranked teams. Texas Tech, BYU, UCF, and Kansas State all received votes, bringing the total number of Big 12 teams with votes to 11. This highlights the depth and talent within the conference. Six teams are ranked, while five are in the "others" category. It's a testament to the competitiveness of the Big 12.

Opportunities for Top 10 Returns

Baylor and Arizona will have the chance to bounce back and move back into the top 10 next week. The Bears face No. 22 St. John's on Thursday, while the Wildcats take on No. 12 Duke on Friday. These matchups will be crucial in determining their future rankings and could potentially shake up the entire poll.

The Latest AP Top 25 Poll

Here is the latest AP Top 25 men's college basketball poll as we enter the third week of the 2024 - 25 season:AP Top 25 College Basketball PollNov. 18, 20241. Kansas2. UConn3. Gonzaga4. Auburn5. Iowa State6. Purdue7. Houston8. Alabama9. Kentucky10. North Carolina11. Tennessee12. Duke13. Baylor14. Creighton15. Marquette16. Indiana17. Arizona18. Cincinnati19. Wisconsin20. Arkansas21. Florida22. St. John's23. Texas A&M24. Rutgers25. IllinoisOthers receiving votes: Texas Tech 109, Mississippi 103, Xavier 89, BYU 27, UCF 21, Texas 17, VCU 17, Michigan St. 16, Mississippi St. 15, Ohio State 13, Miami 10, Pittsburgh 9, Oregon 7, Memphis 6, Penn State 4, Providence 4, Utah State 3, Kansas State 3, Clemson 2, Furman 2, Arizona State 2, Michigan 1, Hofstra 1, Maryland 1.