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The Kentucky Wildcats are back in the top 25.
Thanks to a win at West Virginia, the latest AP Poll has the Cats checking in at No. 21. It took just one week for the Cats to get back into the polls after falling out for the first time since the 2013-14 season.
As for West Virginia, they’re now checking in at No. 15. It’s the only top-25 win the Cats have right now, but there will be plenty of chances to get more coming up.
The rest of the SEC features the Auburn Tigers at No. 11, the Tennessee Volunteers at No. 18 and the Florida Gators at No. 23, giving the league four top-25 teams.
As for the top of the polls, the Villanova Wildcats took the spot spot, but right behind them are the Purdue Boilermakers and Virginia Cavaliers. These three teams are in strong position to earn 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament, something no one would have dreamed of coming into the season.
Here is a look at the fully-updated AP Poll:
1 Villanova Wildcats
2 Virginia Cavaliers
3 Purdue Boilermakers
11 Auburn Tigers
13 Saint Mary’s Gaels
18 Tennessee Volunteers
21 Kentucky Wildcats
The latest ESPN Power Rankings also have the Cats cracking the top 25:
20. Kentucky Wildcats
Record: 16-5
Last week: NR
Welcome back to the Wildcats, who pulled away from Mississippi State and then came back from down 17 at West Virginia on Saturday night. Kevin Knox played out of his mind, finishing with 34 points, and John Calipari had consistent success going with a smaller lineup against the Mountaineers.
It’s good to see Kentucky is back in the polls, and after their signature win in Morgantown, there’s hope the Cats will continue to climb the polls leading into the NCAA Tournament.