Washington jumped 22 spots from No. 23 to claim the top ranking, completing one of the most dramatic ascensions in recent memory. The Huskies (16-6-2) didn't just climb — they vaulted past everyone, turning a season that had them on the fringe into a wire-to-wire arrival at the summit. Saint Louis pulled a similarly stunning rise, surging from 22nd to fourth, while NC State (11-to-2) and Furman (12-to-3) crashed the top five with authority.
The chaos at the top was just as compelling. Maryland, last week's No. 1, fell to seventh. Vermont plummeted from second to 13th, Virginia dropped from fourth to 11th, and San Diego tumbled from seventh to 18th. The poll isn't just shuffled — it's overturned. Only Portland held firm, staying put at sixth while the world moved around the Pilots.
Three newcomers arrived: Hofstra at 20th, Grand Canyon at 21st, and UConn at 24th. The message is clear — nobody's seat is safe, and the race to the top runs through Seattle now.
Data via ESPN · Summarized by D1Ball's editorial engine from official statistics.
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