Oregon basketball: Ducks still out of the top 25, four 12-4 teams in top 15

The Oregon Ducks are on a 6-game winning streak and currently stand at 13-3 overall, they’re even the only men’s team in the Pac-12 that is undefeated in conference play. Yet, they were once again left out of the AP Poll's top 25.

This past week, 14 teams in the top 25 fell to unranked opponents. 

That includes No. 1 Purdue, No. 2 Houston, No. 3 Kansas, No. 5 Tennessee, No. 6 Kentucky, No. 8 Arizona, No. 9 Oklahoma, No. 10 Illinois, No. 11 Marquette, No. 17 Colorado State, No. 19 San Diego State, No. 21 Clemson, No. 23 Gonzaga, and No. 25 Texas.

Sitting atop the Pac-12 standings, ahead of now-No. 12 Arizona, Dana Altman's team is on a streak that shows no sign of slowing down. 

With star player N’Faly Dante making his return and signs pointing to fellow center Nate Bittle, Oregon’s squad is looking strong and steady.

However, without any ranked wins, the Associated Press voters are leveraging the team’s strength of schedule over actual production so far this season.

While Oregon is 13-3 overall, three teams (Tennessee, Alabama, and Illinois) at 12-4, Kentucky at 12-3, and even Marquette at 11-5 were included in the top 17.

Earlier this season, the Ducks fell to then-No. 17 Alabama in their only ranked loss so far this year. The team has also dropped games to Santa Clara and Syracuse.

Following their most recent win over California, the Ducks have a week-long break before they head to Boulder to face the Colorado Buffaloes. Oregon will get a chance to prove its worth when the team hosts Arizona on January 27.

Without any other ranked opponents on the schedule as of now, it may be tough for the Ducks to break into the ever-sought-after spot in the top 25.

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