Wisconsin basketball remains unranked in the final AP Poll.
After receiving 18 votes during the installation of Week 7 of the poll, Wisconsin remained outside the top 25 in this week’s update. The Badgers played just one game during the Dec. 16-23 stretch — a 76-53 blowout win over the Detroit Mercy Titans at the Kohl Center.
Although this victory marks a good end to the 2024 calendar year, it did not convince voters to change Wisconsin’s position. In fact, Wisconsin received 9 fewer votes in the December 23 version of the pecking order.
The Badgers’ recent three-game skid, which included a home loss to Michigan and two road losses to No. 24 Illinois and No. 8 Marquette, still appears to have some influence in the the minds of voters. Although unranked, Michigan received 50 votes in the most recent poll.
Tennessee remains at No. 1 in the poll after earning its 11th straight victory, most recently against Western Carolina. Volunteers are monitored by AuburnIowa State, Duke And Alabama. No. 10 Kentuckywho lost by 20 against Ohio Statedropped six spots in this week’s installation.
Other Big Ten teams in the top 25 include No. 9 OregonNo. 18 Michigan StateNo. 21 Purdue, No. 22 UCLA and No. 24 Illinois.
Alongside Wisconsin and Michigan, State of PennsylvaniaIllinois, Maryland, Ohio, and Indiana were also “receiving votes.”
Here’s a look at the full, updated top 25 from the AP poll:
https://twitter.com/On3sports/status/1871257949320147438
Wisconsin will receive plenty of opportunities to move up this pecking order in the future. With 18 straight Big Ten games on the schedule to close out the season, Greg Gard’s group is facing arguably its toughest stretch of basketball all season.
This Big Ten challenge begins with Iowa on Jan. 3 at the Kohl Center.
