Houston, UCLA, Kansas top AP men's basketball poll

UCLA is surging, both toward the postseason and in the Associated Press men's college basketball poll.

While Houston was No. 1 for a third straight week in Monday's poll, the Bruins rose two spots to No. 2 for their highest ranking of the season. UCLA (27-4) has won its past 10 games, including a showdown with highly ranked Arizona in the regular-season finale behind star Jaime Jaquez Jr. to complete a perfect home record.

«I will say this, the recipe for success in March usually — I mean, aside from talent — is a great point guard and some senior leadership, like a guy like Jaime Jaquez,» UCLA coach Mick Cronin said afterward. «I mean, we've got a chance. But as you know, that tournament's crazy. It isn't 'March Normal.'»

First-place votes in parentheses.

Kelvin Sampson's Cougars remained firmly entrenched at the top in their third stint at No. 1 this season, earning 58 first-place votes with the other three going to UCLA.

Houston hadn't reached No. 1 before this season since 1983 during the Phi Slama Jama era, but the Cougars have now spent a total of seven weeks at the top to tie Purdue for the most of any team this season.

Houston (29-2) closed out its regular-season schedule by winning at Memphis on a last-second basket Sunday, marking its 11th straight win.

THE TOP TIER

The only change in the top five came with UCLA trading places with No. 4 Alabama, with Kansas remaining at No. 3 despite a loss at Texas in Saturday's regular-season finale and the Boilermakers staying at fifth.

Marquette stayed at No. 6, followed by the Longhorns climbing two spots to No. 7. Arizona, Gonzaga and Baylor rounded out the top 10.

RISING

Texas A&M is the week's biggest climber, leaping six spots to No. 18 after beating Alabama in its