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Kentucky is back in the Top 25.

The Wildcats (20-9) return to the poll at No. 23 after an uncharacteristic and lengthy sabbatical from the Associated Press rankings. They were ranked No. 19 in the poll released Dec. 26 before dropping out. Kentucky opened the 2022-23 season at No. 4.

The top five teams are unchanged entering the final week of the regular season, with Houston (27-2) getting 49 first-place votes to remain No. 1.

Alabama (25-4), Kansas (24-5), UCLA (25-4) and Purdue (24-5) round out the top five. The Crimson Tide (five) and Jayhawks (eight) also received first-place votes.

Marquette (23-6) jumped four spots to No. 6, its highest ranking since 1978. Baylor (21-8), Arizona (24-5), Texas (22-7) and Gonzaga (25-5) round out the top 10.

Virginia (21-6) took the week’s biggest plunge, falling seven spots to No. 13 after consecutive losses.

Kentucky has won four straight and 10 of 13 to re-enter the Top 25.

Joining the Wildcats in the poll this week are Maryland (No. 21) and Pitt (No. 25). The Panthers are ranked for the first time since 2016.

Northwestern, Iowa State and Creighton dropped out of the rankings.

The rest of the poll:
11. Kansas State
12. Tennessee
13. Virginia
14. UConn
15. Indiana
16. Miami (FL)
17. Saint Mary’s
18. San Diego State
19. Xavier
20. Providence
21. Maryland
22. TCU
23. Kentucky
24. Texas A&M
25. Pittsburgh

–Field Level Media