Alabama claims top spot in AP Top 25 for first time in 20 years

(AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama is on top of the AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll for the first time since spending two weeks atop the poll midway through the 2002-03 season.

Former No. 1 Purdue fell to Northwestern last week, opening up the top spot.

Alabama received 38 first-place votes, moving up two spots to pass No. 2 Houston. The Cougars received 22 first-place votes to remain at No. 2 and Purdue, down to No. 3, still picked up two first-place votes.

UCLA and Kansas rounded out the top five.

AP Top 25 Men’s Basketball Rankings

First-place votes in parentheses.

TEAM	RECORD
1. Alabama (38)	22-3
2. Houston (22)	23-2
3. Purdue (2)	23-3
4. UCLA	21-4
5. Kansas	20-5
6. Texas	20-5
7. Virginia	19-4
8. Arizona	22-4
9. Baylor	19-6
10. Tennessee	19-6
11. Marquette	20-6
12. Kansas State	19-6
13. Gonzaga	21-5
14. Indiana	18-7
15. Miami	20-5
16. Xavier	19-6
17. St. Mary’s	22-5
18. Creighton	17-8
19. Iowa State	16-8
20. UConn	19-7
21. San Diego State	20-5
22. TCU	17-8
23. NC State	20-6
24. Providence	18-7
25. Florida Atlantic	24-2