Ole Miss is into the AP Top 25 for the first time in 15 years, entering the poll at No. 24.
The last time the Rebels were ranked was in January 2007. So far this season, they’re undefeated on the road, including a victory over then-No. 23 Kentucky on Sunday. Following the loss, Kentucky dropped out of the poll for the first time in 66 weeks.
“Fifteen years is crazy,” Mississippi coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin said. “I told them before the Kentucky game that I had been downplaying the whole ranking deal and I apologized to them for that. I didn’t think it was fair of me. I said if you want to get ranked, go ahead and beat Kentucky and be ranked.”
Ole Miss will travel to No. 1 South Carolina on Thursday in a game that was rescheduled due to COVID-19. South Carolina opted to cancel its game against UConn in favor of facing the Rebels, who are conference opponents.
South Carolina once again sits first in the poll, receiving 29 of 30 first-place votes.
“If you’re serious about basketball and competition, how are you not pumped up to play the No. 1 team in the country?” said McPhee-McCuin. “We were pretty bummed when COVID took that away from us early.”
NC State is up to No. 3 after taking down Louisville, who slipped to No. 5. Tennessee moved up one spot to fourth. Indiana remains in place while Michigan jumped one spot to No. 7.
Texas is back into the top 10 at No. 9 after taking down Iowa State, who fell six spots to No. 13.
Four teams, including Ole Miss, entered the poll this week. Ohio State, Kansas State and Oregon all entered the poll with Oregon sitting at No. 19 after two ranked wins last week.