The Huskies’ two marquee wins last week allowed them to move up seven spots in the poll.
The UConn men’s basketball team has re-entered the top 20 in the latest AP Poll, moving up to No. 18 in week six of the college basketball season. After a meltdown in Maui led to the Huskies falling from No. 2 to No. 25 last week, the UConn moves up seven spots in the AP Poll following two decisive wins.
First, UConn topped the then-ranked No. 15 Baylor Bears 76-72 on Dec. 4, doing so without top forward option Alex Karaban. On Sunday, the Huskies beat Texas in a 76-55 win behind 21 points from Karaban and 16 points from sophomore guard Solo Ball. Notching his first career double-double, Karaban was awarded with Big East Player of the Week honors. Liam McNeeley was also awarded Big East Freshman of the week, collecting 17 points and eight rebounds against Baylor and seven points and nine rebounds against Texas.
According to the NCAA’s NET Rankings, UConn now sits at No. 24 in the country. Looking at the latest KenPom rankings, UConn sits 11 spots higher at No. 13. Both metrics follow data through Dec. 8.
Now 8-3 on the season, UConn joins Marquette (No. 6) as the only representatives from the Big East in the nation’s top-25 teams. As the team looks ahead to its final non-conference game before Big East action, the Huskies will take on No. 8 Gonzaga, who dropped down one spot from No. 7 following a 90-89 loss to Kentucky. As part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Series, the Huskies and the Bulldogs will square off Dec. 14 at 8:00 p.m. at Madison Square Garden.
Looking ahead to opening night of Big East play, UConn will play Xavier Wednesday, Dec. 18 at the XL Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.