The Wildcats (19-3) claimed the top spot, leapfrogging the Tar Heels (19-2) to take over No. 1 after sitting at second a week ago. North Carolina's slide to No. 2 — barely a nudge — keeps the race razor-thin at the summit, but the real chaos lives in the middle.
The Buffaloes (16-4) stormed from No. 11 to No. 5, a six-spot surge that screams contender, while the Blue Jays (17-5) jumped five places to No. 3 after entering the week at No. 8. Those two moves reshaped the top five and signaled that the path to a title runs through more than just the usual blue bloods.
At the other end, the Fighting Irish (12-6) tumbled five spots to No. 20, the poll's steepest fall, and the Wolverines (13-7) dropped from No. 6 to No. 10. Meanwhile, the Minutewomen (16-3) crashed the party at No. 25 — the poll's only newcomer — making it clear they intend to be heard.
Data via ESPN · Summarized by D1Ball's editorial engine from official statistics.
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