Arizona is still No. 1 in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll, but No. 2 Michigan is closing the gap.
The Wildcats topped the poll for the third straight week in the AP Top 25 released on Monday, receiving 38 first-place votes from a 58-person panel. The Wolverines had 19 first-place votes — four more than last week — and closed the gap in total points, pulling within 20.
No. 3 Iowa State had one first-place vote, with UConn and Purdue rounding out the top five in the final poll of the calendar year. The next Top 25 will be released Jan. 5.
Arizona (11-0) added another quality win to its resume last week, blowing out San Diego State 68-45 with a dominant defensive performance. The Wildcats also routed Abilene Christian 92-62 last week.
Arizona has won its last six games by at least 20 points, its longest streak since another six-game rout run in 1942-43.