Luke DeCock’s AP Top 25 basketball poll ballot: Week 10
News & Observer sports columnist Luke DeCock is serving as an Associated Press Top 25 basketball poll voter for the 2021-22 NCAA basketball season. This is his AP ballot for January 17, 2022.
There haven’t been many debates about the No. 1 spot this season so this week was a refreshing change, like a splash of cold water to the face. On a hotter day, presumably, since everything outside is covered in 2 inches of ice. Nevertheless.
There are three worthy candidates this week, and not much separating them. Gonzaga would normally ascend to the top spot but Auburn’s resume makes just as strong a claim. And if you were starting from scratch, without looking at any recent results, Baylor might just stick there.
But two losses in a week is obviously a tough sell, so Baylor drops to No. 3. I went with Gonzaga but would have zero argument with anyone who thinks Auburn is No. 1. It’s a very close decision.
Texas Tech and Iowa State have had a hard time climbing onto my ballot compared to others’ and I usually wouldn’t move an unranked team into my top 25 after a loss. But it’s impossible not to look at either profile, especially compared to the other contenders, and leave them out.
Iowa also enters; Miami and West Virginia had very short stays on the ballot. Also under consideration: Colorado State, Connecticut, Davidson, Murray State, North Carolina, Providence, St. Mary’s and San Diego State.
THIS SEASON’S BALLOTS
Preseason | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9
THIS WEEK’S TOP 25 BASKETBALL BALLOT
1. Gonzaga (Last week: 2)
2. Auburn (7)
3. Baylor (1)
4. Arizona (4)
5. Kansas (9)
6. Houston (10)
7. Duke (11)
8. Villanova (15)
9. Purdue (12)
10. LSU (8)
11. Illinois (13)
12. Wisconsin (16)
13. Michigan State (6)
14. UCLA (3)
15. Kentucky (25)
16. USC (5)
17. Xavier (14)
18. Iowa State (NR)
19. Ohio State (18)
20. Texas Tech (NR)
21. Tennessee (19)
22. Loyola Chicago (22)
23. Alabama (17)
24. Iowa (NR)
25. BYU (24)
OUT Seton Hall (20), West Virginia (21), Miami (23)
This story was originally published January 17, 2022 at 9:18 AM.
