Mizzou men’s basketball cracks AP Top-25

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

For the first time under first-year head coach Dennis Gates, the Mizzou men's basketball team cracked the AP Poll with a No. 20 ranking on Monday.

It is the first time in nearly two years that MU has broken into the nation's top 25 list. The Tigers last did it under former head coach Cuonzo Martin in 2021.

The No. 20 ranking comes after Gates and company knocked of two-straight ranked opponents, in Illinois and Kentucky. The latest rout against the Wildcats, knocked UK out of the top-25 rankings altogether.

Multiple other SEC teams made it into the week's AP Poll, as well. No. 22 Auburn, No. 13 Arkansas, No. 8 Tennessee and No. 7 Alabama all made the list, as well.

Mizzou's next game will come against the No. 13 Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 4. Tip off is 7:30 p.m.