BYU COUGARS

BYU Basketball Reaches Season-High Ranking In Latest AP Top 25

Jan 1, 2024, 1:50 PM

AP Top 25, BYU Basketball, Aly Khalifa...

BYU basketball jumped up to No. 12 in the week nine AP Top 25 rankings. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY – BYU basketball is preparing for its inaugural Big 12 schedule with a season-high ranking in the AP Top 25.

On New Year’s Day, the latest AP Top 25 poll was released for week nine of the season.

BYU basketball is at No. 12 in the AP Top 25

The 12-1 BYU Cougars jumped up two spots to No. 12 in the rankings after a week that saw them close out the nonconference portion of its schedule with a blowout win over Wyoming.

The No. 12 ranking is the highest BYU has been ranked this season. It’s also tied for the highest ranking for a BYU team during the Mark Pope era (since 2019).

BYU was ranked No. 12 in 2021 when they jumped out to a 6-0 record that year. They then lost to Utah Valley, causing them to tumble down the rankings.

Over the history of the AP Top 25 poll, BYU is 13-7 all-time in games when ranked No. 12.

Utah Utes receiving votes

The one team that has defeated BYU this season, Utah, made a case to crack into the rankings after two Pac-12 wins over Washington State and Washington, but the Utes remain just outside the Top 25.

BYU tips off Big 12 action this week

Next up for BYU is their much-anticipated Big 12 opener against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday, January 6, inside the Marriott Center. Tip-off for the game is at 8 p.m. (MT) on ESPN2 and KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM).

AP Top 25: Where is BYU basketball ranked?

1. Purdue (12-1)

2. Kansas (12-1)

3. Houston (13-0)

4. UConn (11-2)

5. Tennessee (9-3)

6. Kentucky (10-2)

7. Marquette (11-3)

8. North Carolina (9-3)

9. Illinois (10-2)

10. Arizona (10-3)

11. Oklahoma (12-1)

12. BYU (12-1)

13. Colorado State (12-1)

14. Duke (9-3)

15. Memphis (11-2)

16. Clemson (11-1)

17. Florida Atlantic (10-3)

18. Baylor (10-2)

19. James Madison (13-0)

20. Texas (10-2)

21. Wisconsin (9-3)

22. Ole Miss (13-0)

23. Providence (11-2)

24. Gonzaga (9-4)

25. Auburn (10-2)

Others Receiving Votes: San Diego State 113, Creighton 106, Colorado 86, Utah 82, Miami 41, Iowa State 22, Michigan State 15, Nevada 13, Texas A&M 13, Ohio State 8, New Mexico 6, Dayton 5, Grand Canyon 5, South Carolina 4, Mississippi State 4, Northwestern 3, Villanova 3, Alabama 3.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X and Threads: @Mitch_Harper.

Take us with you wherever you go.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

  • BYU Cougars Scoreboard

  • BYU Cougars Team Leaders

  • BYU Cougars Standings

BYU Cougars

Kemery Martin, BYU Women's Basketball, Transfer Portal...

Mitch Harper

BYU Women’s Basketball Adds Former Utah, Cal Transfer

Sandy, Utah native Kemery Martin is going to finish her college career at BYU.

8 hours ago

Dallin Hall, BYU Basketball, Kevin Young...

Mitch Harper

BYU Star Dallin Hall Found Immediate Alignment With Kevin Young

BYU's star point guard immediately connected with Kevin Young.

10 hours ago

BYU Football, Kalani Sitake, Big 12...

Mitch Harper

BYU’s Kalani Sitake Sees Bright Future Ahead For 16-Team Big 12

BYU football head coach Kalani Sitake wrapped up spring Big 12 coaches meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona.

15 hours ago

BYU wing Jaxson Robinson shoots the ball...

Ben Anderson

Jaxson Robinson, Dillon Jones Invited To NBA Combine

BYU wing Jaxson Robinson and Weber State forward Dillon Jones have earned invites to the NBA Draft Combine in May.

17 hours ago

BYU Football, Roster, Transfer Portal...

Mitch Harper

Where BYU Football’s Roster Stands After Closure Of Spring Transfer Portal

Assessing the BYU football roster after the Transfer Portal closed.

2 days ago

Kingsley-Suamataia-BYU-Cougars-Football...

Kyle Ireland

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce Praises New Teammate Kingsley Suamataia

Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce praised his new teammate and former BYU Cougars offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia.

2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Give-A-Thon

The KSL Sports Zone, KSL 5 TV, FM100.3, 103.5 The Arrow, and KSL NewsRadio have teamed up to raise money for the kids being served by Primary Children’s Care!

ksl-sports-newsletter...

KSL Sports

KSL Sports Newsletter: Sign Up Now

Sign up today for the KSL Sports newsletter. Get the latest Utah sports news delivered to your inbox.

...

KSL Sports

Jazz Notes Newsletter: Sign Up Now

Sign up today for the Jazz Notes newsletter. Get insider analysis, game recaps and opportunities to win tickets!

Follow @kslsports...

The Road Home Mediathon 2023

The KSL Sports Zone and KSLSports.com are proud to support the all-day Mediathon 2023 at the Road Home, an annual tradition to raise money and other essential items for the Road Home, a Homeless Shelter.

3 kids wearing real salt lake jerseys smiling...

Real Salt Lake

6 Reasons You Need to Experience a RSL Matchday

RSL Games are a great way to spend time with your family with fun activities, good food, and traditions you can only experience at the field.

High angle view of the beautiful Rose Bowl Stadium...

KSL Digital Sales

How to Prepare for the 2023 Rose Bowl

Everything you need to know to plan your 2023 Rose Bowl trip in Pasadena, California. This year, the Utes will face Penn State.

BYU Basketball Reaches Season-High Ranking In Latest AP Top 25