ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For the first time in the program's history, the University of South Florida mens basketball team is in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.
Fresh off the team's 13th consecutive win on Sunday, the Bulls debuted at No. 25, one spot behind the Florida Gators.
South Florida has been a surprise in its first season under Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, who led a remarkable turnaround at Kennesaw State from a one-win season to an NCAA Tournament bid last year. Now he’s helped the Bulls (21-5) go from being picked ninth in the American Athletic Conference to their first-ever ranking.
The Bulls beat SMU, 79-68, on Sunday to improve to 14-1 in league play. The game drew more than 10,200 fans to the Yuengling Center.
Elsewhere in the poll, the Gators — coming off a loss to Alabama and a victory over Vanderbilt — are No. 24.
The Houston Cougars are at No. 1 for the first time this season, ending the six-week stay of reigning national champion Connecticut.
Purdue rose one spot to No. 2, while the Huskies’ loss to Creighton dropped them to third.
Teams four through 10 in Monday's poll are: Tennessee, Marquette, Arizona, Kansas, Iowa State, North Carolina and Duke.
The rest of the Top 25 on Monday:
11. Auburn
12. Creighton
13. Illinois
14. Alabama
15. Baylor
16. Kentucky
17. Saint Mary's
18. South Carolina
19. Washington State
20. San Diego State
21. Dayton
22. Utah State
23. Gonzaga
24. Florida
25. USF