Auburn surges, while Kansas remains No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball poll

Kansas retains the top spot after staving off North Carolina at home in one of the week’s marquee contests. The Jayhawks received 21 of 31 first-place votes, while the Tar Heels were demoted just one position to No. 11. Alabama remains No. 2 overall, claiming four No. 1 nods after a 2-0 start. Two-time defending champ Connecticut also holds at No. 3 with three first-place votes.

The week’s big mover is Auburn. The Tigers vault from No. 11 all the way to No. 4 after Saturday night’s road win at Houston. Auburn was picked first by two panelists, while the Cougars slip to No. 10. Gonzaga moves up a couple of places to round out the top five, claiming the last No. 1 vote and edging ahead of No. 6 Duke. Iowa State and Arizona hold down the next two spots, and Tennessee climbs into the top 10 at No. 9.

TOP 25: Complete USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball poll

No. 22 Ohio State joins the poll after upending Texas. No. 24 Rutgers and No. 25 St. John’s also move in. Texas drops out along with UCLA and Mississippi.