RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – The first week of action in the men’s college basketball season caused some slight movement amongst teams based out of the Triangle area.
On Monday, the first Associated Press Top 25 poll of the regular season was released, and two schools in North Carolina found themselves moving one spot in the opposite directions.
The Duke Blue Devils rose to No. 6 in the rankings after opening the 2024-25 season at the No. 7 spot. Head coach Jon Scheyer and his squad tipped off the year with back-to-back wins over Maine and Army.
Meanwhile, the North Carolina Tar Heels dropped to the No. 10 slot following a 92-89 road defeat to top-ranked Kansas on Friday night. The Tar Heels stormed back from a 20-point deficit and ended up losing after a potentially game-tying three-pointer bounced off the rim as the final buzzer sounded.
Kansas continues to sit atop the AP rankings, with Alabama, UConn, Gonzaga, and Auburn rounding out the top five, while Iowa State, Houston, and Arizona landed in the 7-8-9 spots.
Competition is about to get more fierce for the Blue Devils as they travel to Atlanta to square off with fellow blue blood program and No. 19 ranked Kentucky in the 2024 Champions Classic on Tuesday night.
AP Top 25 Men’s Basketball Poll
| Rank | Team | Points |
| 1. | Kansas Jayhawks | 1525 |
| 2. | Alabama Crimson Tide | 1439 |
| 3. | UConn Huskies | 1398 |
| 4. | Gonzaga Bulldogs | 1371 |
| 5. | Auburn Tigers | 1315 |
| 6. | Duke Blue Devils | 1222 |
| 7. | Iowa State Cyclones | 1206 |
| 8. | Houston Cougars | 1070 |
| 9. | Arizona Wildcats | 1004 |
| 10. | North Carolina Tar Heels | 992 |
| 11. | Tennessee Volunteers | 930 |
| 12. | Baylor Bears | 806 |
| 13. | Purdue Boilermakers | 795 |
| 14. | Creighton Bluejays | 752 |
| 15. | Marquette Golden Eagles | 603 |
| 16. | Indiana Hoosiers | 600 |
| 17. | Cincinnati Bearcats | 454 |
| 18. | Arkansas Razorbacks | 357 |
| 19. | Kentucky Wildcats | 353 |
| 20. | Florida Gators | 332 |
| 21. | Ohio State Buckeyes | 273 |
| 22. | St. John’s Red Storm | 178 |
| 23. | Texas A&M Aggies | 169 |
| 24. | Rutgers Scarlett Knights | 157 |
| 25. | Ole Miss Rebels | 147 |