Mandatory Credit: Photo by Kevin M Cox/AP/Shutterstock (13699433f) Forward Efe Odigie (23) is blocked by Houston guard Jamal Shead (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, in Houston SMU Basketball, Houston, United States – 05 Jan 2023

Houston Cougars basketball regains No. 1 spot in both national polls

Clovis Shropshire
January 9, 2023
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3 minutes read

The Houston Cougars basketball team climbed up to re-claim the No. 1 spot in both national polls on Monday following an undefeated week.

Houston received 1,457 points, including 34 first-place votes, in the latest Associated Press poll. The Cougars (16-1, 4-0 American Athletic) were just ahead of Kansas, who had 1,440 points, including 22 first-place votes. UH defeated Southern Methodist University and Cincinnati this past week.

Purdue, the previous No. 1 holder, fell to third in the latest poll. Alabama at fourth and Tennessee at fifth round out the top five in the AP Poll. Texas fell to 10th while Texas Christian stayed at 17th. Both are the only other Texas teams ranked in the AP top 25.

In the USA Today coaches poll, the Cougars just edged out the Jayhawks for the No. 1 spot. Houston received 774 points, including 14 first-place votes. Kansas received 767 points and got 12 first-place votes.

Purdue at third, Alabama at fourth, and Tennessee at fifth also rounded out the top five in the coaches poll. Texas is 10th, and TCU is also 17th in the coaches poll. Similarly to the AP Poll, those two schools were the only others from the state in the top 25.

Houston remained No. 1 in Monday’s NCAA Evaluation Tool, or NET, rankings. The NET rankings are updated daily and factor in a team’s opponent as well as where the games are played and other indicators.

The Cougars return to action on Wednesday evening at home against South Florida. It will be Houston’s only game this upcoming week before next Monday.