Kentucky’s win over St. John’s wasn’t quite enough to get the Cats back in the Top 25. The new AP and Coaches Polls are out, and Kentucky is just outside of both Top 25s, coming in at No. 26. Iowa beat the Cats out by one point in the AP Poll. St. John’s, previously No. 22 in the AP Poll, dropped out of the Top 25, down to No. 29. The Red Storm is tied with Kentucky at No. 26 in the Coaches Poll.
There are six SEC teams in the AP Top 25, led by Vanderbilt, which is up to No. 11 in both polls after its 12-0 start. Last week, the ‘Dores beat Memphis and Wake Forest on the road. Alabama, Kentucky’s first SEC opponent, is No. 14 in the AP Poll, followed by Arkansas (No. 18), Tennessee (No. 19), Florida (No. 22), and Georgia (No. 23). Also receiving votes in the AP Poll: Auburn and LSU. Arizona and Michigan remain No. 1 and No. 2 in both polls, while Iowa State is up to No. 3, UConn No. 4, and Purdue No. 5 in the AP Top 25.
We won’t have to wait long to see the Cats in action again. Kentucky takes on Bellarmine tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET (SEC Network+), a rare matinee at Rupp Arena before a ten-day break. As mentioned, SEC play starts on Saturday, Jan. 3, at Alabama.
Kentucky’s opponents by AP Ranking
- No. 7 Gonzaga: Dec. 5 – 94-59 L
- No. 9 Michigan State: Nov. 18 – 83-66 L
- No. 12 North Carolina: Dec. 2 – 67-64 L
- No. 16 Louisville: Nov. 11 – 96-88 L
- No. 11 Vanderbilt: Jan. 27 (away), Feb. 28 (home)
- No. 14 Alabama: Jan. 3 (away)
- No. 18 Arkansas: Jan. 31 (away)
- No. 19 Tennessee: Jan 17 (away), Feb. 7 (home)
- No. 22 Florida: Feb. 14 (away), March 7 (home)
- No. 23 Georgia: Feb. 17 (home)
AP Poll – Dec. 22
Others Receiving Votes: Kentucky 78, Seton Hall 49, Auburn 39, St. John’s 23, California 19, LSU 17, UCLA 13, Clemson 9, Miami (Ohio) 6, Utah St. 5, Arizona St 5, Indiana 4, Miami 4, Saint Louis 3, Belmont 2, Baylor 1, Oklahoma St. 1, UCF 1, NC State 1.
USA Today Coaches Poll – Dec. 22
Schools Dropped Out: No. 20 St. John’s; No. 24 Auburn…