Kentucky jumps up to No. 9 in AP Poll

CBS253150 — (Photo by Dr. Michael Huang | Kentucky Sports Radio)

The Kentucky Wildcats finally earned the statement win they were looking for, an 87-83 victory over North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic. And the voters were clearly impressed.

Kentucky jumped five spots up to No. 9 in the latest AP Poll, the biggest riser in college basketball this week. That’s good for No. 2 in the SEC, right behind Tennessee (No. 8). Ole Miss is the conference’s only other representative, coming in at No. 25 overall, while Auburn, Texas A&M, Alabama, South Carolina and Mississippi State all received votes.

Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning

By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.

As for previous and future opponents, Kansas sits at No. 2, followed by North Carolina at No. 11 and Gonzaga at No. 15. Saint Joseph’s, whom Kentucky defeated 96-88 back in November, is now receiving votes, as well.

Take a look at the complete rankings:

AP College Basketball Poll – Dec. 18

RANK	TEAM	RECORD	TREND	POINTS
1	Purdue	10-1	⬆️ 2	1534 (48)
2	Kansas	10-1	—	1457 (6)
3	Houston	11-0	⬆️ 1	1394 (8)
4	Arizona	8-1	⬇️ 3	1372
5	UConn	10-1	—	1367
6	Marquette	9-2	⬆️ 1	1235
7	Oklahoma	10-0	⬆️ 4	1062
8	Tennessee	8-3	⬆️ 4	983
9	Kentucky	8-2	⬆️ 5	981
10	Baylor	9-1	⬇️ 4	896
11	North Carolina	7-3	⬇️ 2	773
12	Creighton	9-2	⬇️ 4	734
13	Illinois	8-2	⬆️ 3	727
14	Florida Atlantic	9-2	⬆️ 1	716
15	Gonzaga	8-3	⬇️ 5	642
16	Colorado State	10-1	⬆️ 1	588
17	BYU	10-1	⬆️ 1	569
18	Clemson	9-1	⬇️ 5	501
19	Texas	8-2	—	449
20	James Madison	10-0	—	442
21	Duke	7-3	—	311
22	Virginia	9-1	—	287
23	Memphis	8-2	—	274
24	Wisconsin	8-3	⬇️ 1	269
25	Ole Miss	10-0	—	180

Others Receiving Votes

Miami 97, Auburn 87, Colorado 84, Utah 37, Iowa St. 24, Ohio St. 12, Michigan St. 10, TCU 10, Texas A&M 9, San Diego St. 8, Northwestern 5, Providence 5, Alabama 3, Dayton 3, Nevada 3, New Mexico 2, Grand Canyon 2, Washington 2, Saint Joseph’s 2, South Carolina 1, Mississippi St. 1.