Numbers 1 through 6 in the AP Poll Lose in College Basketball

For the first time ever, the top six ranked college basketball teams in the AP Poll lost on the same day, February 26th. Four of those losses were to other Top 25 teams, while unranked teams won the other two; all the contests were conference games.

Top ranked Gonzaga lost at #23 Saint Mary’s 67-57. Gonzaga is 24-3 overall, 13-1 in the West Coast Conference after losing its first conference game. St. Mary’s (24-6, 12-3) is in second place in the WCC. The conference tournament is next up for both teams, with Gonzaga as the top seed and St. Mary’s at #2.

In the Pac-12, #2 Arizona (25-3, 15-2) lost at unranked Colorado (19-10, 11-8), ending the Wildcat’s nine game winning streak. The Buffalos improved their chances at an NCAA tournament berth with this win over a quality opponent. Arizona will play at #16 USC (25-4, 14-4) on March 1st. USC is in 2nd place in the Pac-12 behind Arizona.

In Knoxville, #17 Tennessee beat #3 Auburn 67-62. The Volunteers improved 21-7 overall and to 12-4 in the SEC. Tennessee is in a three way tie for 2nd in the conference, one game behind 1st place Auburn (25-4, 13-3).

In the Big Ten, unranked Michigan State (19-9, 10-7) beat #4 Purdue (25-4, 13-5) 68-65 on a three point basket by Tyson Walker with three seconds left in the game. The win ended the Spartans’ three game losing streak.

Over in the Big 12, #10 Baylor beat #5 Kansas 80-70 on a 49 point second half by the Bears. The defending NCAA champions are 23-5 overall and 12-4 in the Big 12, just a half game behind front running Kansas (23-5, 12-3). The Jayhawks have a busy week coming up, with three games (at TCU, at home against TCU, and at home vs. #20 Texas) between March 1st and 5th. Baylor is at Texas on February 28th and will host Iowa State on March 5th.

Finally, #18 Arkansas (23-6, 12-4 in the SEC) hosted #6 Kentucky, and held off the Wildcats (23-6, 12-4 also). Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee are in that three way tie for second in the SEC.

This streak of losses at the top ended with #7 Duke beating unranked Syracuse 97-72. Eighth ranked Villanova did not play, but #9 Texas Tech lost at unranked TCU 69-66. All other ranked teams that played won.