Arkansas checks in at de facto No. 39 in AP Top 25

For the second straight week, the Arkansas basketball team found itself outside the Top 25.

But for the second straight week, at least, the Razorbacks picked up some votes.

Arkansas was a de facto No. 39 in the land in the AP Top 25 Basketball poll released Monday. The Hogs, who have won two of their last three, picked up nine points worth of votes, tying them with Pittsburgh just inside the top 40.

The Razorbacks had a prime opportunity to edge closer to being legtimately ranked after the weekend. Arkansas took Baylor to the wire, but fell in Waco by three, 67-64.

Arkansas had been as high as No. 10 in the nation, but a four-game losing streak in SEC play was a big part of the Hogs’ 1-5 start in league play and Eric Musselman’s team has been fighting back since.

The SEC’s two highest-ranked teams, Tennessee and Alabama flipped in the latest poll. The Tide dropped to No. 4 after a loss to Oklahoma while the Vols went up to No. 2 after handling Texas.

The only other SEC team ranked was Auburn at No. 25, though Missouri was a de facto No. 26 and Texas A&M was No. 36.