LSU played two tight Southeastern Conference games before they traveled to Gainesville, Florida, to face the Gators. A last-second shot lifted the Tigers to a two-point road win over No. 15 Tennessee on Jan. 9, then a late surge of offense propelled them to a six-point home victory over Vanderbilt on Monday.

No. 2 South Carolina is receiving a first place vote in the AP Top 25 following the Gamecocks' 41-point win against Oklahoma. Meanwhile, UCLA is No. 1 for the ninth consecutive week. The Bruins are one of the two undefeated teams remaining,

South Carolina has cruised through the difficult part of its conference schedule, picking up a first-place vote to gain ground on top-ranked UCLA.