Clemson vaults up AP Poll, more rankings

Ian Schieffelin has played an integral role in Clemson's 9-0 start. (Photo: John Sokolowski / USATODAY)

Brandon Rink · Assoc. Editor / Staff Writer · Monday, December 11 2023

Clemson men’s basketball continued its rise in the polls on Monday.

The Tigers jumped to No. 13 from No. 24 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 after improving to 9-0 by defeating unbeatens going into the games last week with South Carolina and TCU (in Toronto, Canada).

Clemson left Saturday’s neutral site win over the Horned Frogs with a fifth victory away from home, which was tied for second in the nation and best among Power 5 conference teams.

Multiple outlets and metrics like the Tigers, one of seven undefeated teams left in Division I, even more than the traditional polls.

The NCAA’s NET resume tool has Brad Brownell’s group up to No. 13, and the Tigers have been at No. 1 over the last week in a formerly major NCAA Tournament metric with the RPI.

NCAA.com’s Andy Katz has Clemson up to No. 7, FOX Sports’ John Fanta has Clemson at No. 8 and both CBS Sports and ESPN have Clemson at No. 14.

ESPN’s metrics have the Tigers at No. 1 in strength of record and No. 35 in strength of schedule.

Clemson is 4-0 versus NET Quadrant 1 teams already. The Tigers had four Q1 wins all of last season (4-4).

Clemson returns to action at Memphis on Saturday (3 p.m./ESPN+).

AP Top 25

1. Arizona (62 1st votes)

2. Kansas

3. Purdue

4. Houston (1)

5. UConn

6. Baylor

7. Marquette

8. Creighton

9. UNC

10. Gonzaga

11. Oklahoma

12. Tennessee

13. Clemson

14. Kentucky

15. Florida Atlantic

16. Illinois

17. Colorado State

18. BYU

19. Texas

20. James Madison

21. Duke

22. Virginia

23. Wisconsin

24. Miami

25. Northwestern

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES:

Colorado 116, Mississippi 86, Texas A&M 58, Auburn 57, Memphis 56, Alabama 43, Utah 25, Iowa St. 20, Ohio St. 9, Providence 7, San Diego St. 7, TCU 6, Nevada 5, South Carolina 3, New Mexico 2, Washington 2, Kansas St 1, Grand Canyon 1, Dayton 1, Saint Joseph's 1.

🚨 NEW #Power36 from @TheAndyKatz 👇

1. Arizona
2. Kansas
3. UConn
4. Purdue
5. Baylor
6. Houston
7. Clemson
8. Marquette
9. Oklahoma
10. North Carolina

📰: https://t.co/4nA4Fpm7XU pic.twitter.com/0p9ONHViqy
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) December 11, 2023

Here’s my top 25 for this week. What do you guys think? pic.twitter.com/Y7Zu7wedbg
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) December 11, 2023

Some Clemson basketball rankings as we start the week. #1 RPI, #13 in NET, #9 strength of schedule, tied for 2nd in wins away from home, tied for first with Purdue in NET quad 1 wins. One of 7 unbeaten teams in the nation.
— Tim Bourret (@TimBourret) December 11, 2023

Clemson jumps from 24 to 13 in AP college basketball poll, 20 to 11 in Coaches poll. The 11 spot jump in AP poll is largest improvement from one poll to the next in Clemson history. Previous was 8 spots improvement in 86-87, 96-97 and 08-09.
— Tim Bourret (@TimBourret) December 11, 2023