Men’s basketball AP poll: Auburn jumps to No. 1, but how long can it last without Johni Broome?

On By Littum

Auburn forward Johni Broome dribbles the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Purdue, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)

Auburn star Johni Broome is out indefinitely with a sprained ankle. (AP/Butch Dill)

We have a new top-ranked team in college basketball this week, but that change came at a cost.

Here’s everything you missed in Week 10 of the college basketball season and the latest Associated Press men’s basketball poll.

Auburn overtook Tennessee to claim the No. 1 spot in this week’s rankings, thanks to the Volunteers’ stunning blowout loss at Florida. However, the Tigers may be in trouble.

Auburn lost star Johni Broome in Saturday’s win over South Carolina. The Player of the Year candidate awkwardly rolled his ankle after landing on teammate Chancey Johnson’s foot while diving for a rebound in the lane. He left the game early and did not return.

Then on Sunday, the Tigers said Broome will be out indefinitely with a sprained ankle. The good news, however, is that Broome will not need surgery. While it is unclear how long he will be sidelined, the expectation is that he will be back on the floor at some point this season.

Broome has averaged 17.9 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game this season. While the Tigers can survive without him, they are heading into a pretty tough stretch of their schedule, taking on five ranked opponents in their next seven games. They will host the no. 15 Mississippi State on Tuesday before traveling to No. 23 Georgia on Saturday. Broome will have a window to bounce back after that game against the Bulldogs. Auburn will have a week off before hosting Tennessee, which fell five spots to No. 6 in the rankings this week, January 25.

If Broome’s injury only keeps him out for a minimal amount of time, the Tigers should be fine in the SEC. But if it continues next month, they could get an upward move in the SEC as they approach tournament time.

Elsewhere in the college basketball world, Iowa State moved up to No. 2 in the rankings this week after their overtime win at Texas Tech. It marked their 11th straight win and gave them their highest ranking in program history. Duke also jumped Tennessee after Cooper Flagg dropped 42 points in the Blue Devils’ win over Notre Dame. It broke Zion Williamson’s freshman scoring record. Alabama and Florida then rounded out the top five.

Tuesday 14 January

Mississippi State no. 15 in Auburn no. 1 | 7:00 PM ET | SEC network

No. 21 Ole Miss at no. 4 Alabama | 7:00 PM ET | ESPNU

no. 11 Texas A&M at No. 8 Kentucky | 7:00 PM ET | ESPN2

Wednesday, January 15

no. 9 Kansas at no. 2 Iowa State | 7:00 PM ET | ESPN2

West Virginia at No. 10 Houston | 8:00 PM ET | ESPN+

Saturday 18 January

No. 4 Alabama at No. 8 Kentucky | 12:00 PM ET | ESPN

no. 17 Purdue at No. 13 Oregon | 3:00 PM ET | NBC

No. 2 Iowa State at West Virginia | 5:00 PM ET | ESPN+

No. 21 Ole Miss at Mississippi State no. 15 | 3:00 PM ET | TBD

Sunday, January 19

No. 19 Illinois at Michigan State no. 12 | 12:00 PM ET | CBS

The complete Associated Press men’s basketball poll as of January 13, 2025.

1. Auburn (15-1)

2. Iowa State (14-1)

3rd Duke (14-2)

4. Alabama (14-2)

5. Florida (15-1)

6. Tennessee (15-1)

7. Marquette (14-2)

8. Kentucky (13-3)

9. Kansas (12-3)

10. Houston (12-3)

11. Texas A&M (13-3)

12. Michigan State (14-2)

13. Oregon (15-2)

14. UConn (13-4)

15. Mississippi State (14-2)

16. Gonzaga (14-4)

17. Purdue (13-4)

18. Memphis (13-3)

19. Illinois (12-4)

20. Michigan (13-3)

21. Ole Miss (14-2)

22. Utah State (16-1)

23. Georgia (14-2)

24. Wisconsin (13-3)

25. Baylor (11-4)

Others receiving votes: St. John’s 83, Oklahoma 63, West Virginia 61, Arizona 26, Louisville 17, Texas Tech 12, Maryland 11, Clemson 8, Missouri 8, Cincinnati 4, San Diego State 4, Saint Mary’s 3, UC Irvine 2 , New Mexico 2