The Huskies have climbed seven spots for a second-straight week.
Following its fourth-straight win to end non-conference play, UConn men’s basketball rose seven spots to No. 11 in the AP’s latest Top 25 poll.
UConn has now risen seven spots in each of the last two weeks, proving it should still be regarded as one of the nation’s most feared programs after Saturday night’s 77-71 win over Gonzaga. It was the team’s only game of the week, but the performance was enough to warrant an upswing in the team’s stock. Following the loss, Gonzaga drops from No. 8 to No. 13.
Freshman Liam McNeeley posted a career-high 26 points, alongside eight rebounds and four assists, propelling the Huskies past the Bulldogs at Madison Square Garden. His performance was enough to warrant his second-straight Big East Freshman of the Week honors, his third time overall being presented with the award this season.
Taking a look at some of the other ranking systems around college basketball, UConn stands at No. 12 in the KenPom advanced analysis ratings and No. 11 in the NCAA’s NET ratings. The Huskies are one of just two Big East programs to rank inside the AP’s top-25 teams in the nation, joining 2023 Big East champs Marquette.
After the Golden Eagles dropped their only game of the week to unranked Dayton — a team UConn also fell to in the consolation round of the Maui Invitational — Marquette dropped from No. 6 to No. 9. Marquette also ranks No. 9 in both the KenPom and NET through Dec. 15.
UConn’s movement throughout the top 25 has been a bit of a rollercoaster this season. After starting the year ranked No. 3, the Huskies jumped one spot to No. 2 before plummeting all the way to No. 25 after three-consecutive loses in Hawaii. The team regained ground to No. 18 after knocking off Baylor and Texas, before landing at its current No. 11 position.
With non-conference play now in the rearview, the Huskies will turn their attention to their first of a 20-game conference slate to close out the season. UConn will begin its defense over the Big East title starting Wednesday Dec. 18, when it welcomes Xavier to the XL Center. Tip off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.