Crimson Tide climbs to fourth in poll

Alabama hasn’t been regarded this highly in 25 years.

The Crimson Tide rose four places to No. 4 in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll Monday, their best ranking since they were in the same spot on Feb. 15, 1977.

Like Alabama, Texas improved on its preseason ranking thanks to a victory against then-No. 16 Georgia in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at Madison Square Garden. The Longhorns moved up one place to No. 3 in the first poll of the regular season.

Arizona and Kansas held on to the Nos. 1 and 2 spots they occupied in the preseason poll.

The Wildcats received 58 first-place votes and 1,736 points in the voting, while Kansas was rated No. 1 on 10 ballots and had a total of 1,679 points.

Alabama jumped from eighth after its 68-62 victory over then-No. 3 Oklahoma.