Michigan’s remarkable rise to No. 4 in the AP Poll, leaping from completely unranked, marks the largest jump in the 76‑year history of the poll (dating back to 1949), tying the record set by Kansas in 1989 .
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🏀 Context Behind the Jump
After starting the season unranked for the first four weeks, Michigan went 7–0, including upset wins over No. 7 North Carolina and No. 9 Gonzaga, clinching the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament title .
The AP Poll committee responded by vaulting the team to No. 4 in the December 2, 2019, rankings—complete with nine first-place votes .
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📚 Historical Significance
The jump—from unranked to No. 4—tied the all-time record set by Kansas during the 1989–90 season .
This leap remains the largest single-week move in AP Poll history, underscoring just how explosive Michigan’s early-season performance was .
It wasn’t just a single upset—it reflected consistent dominance over quality opponents. Michigan emerged as a formidable team under coach Juwan Howard—who led the squad to that unbeaten start despite early-season doubts .
Such a dramatic shift in rankings not only spotlights Michigan’s upward trajectory that season, but also stands as a rare, historic moment in college basketball polling.
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So when you see #GoBlue and Michigan at No. 4, know that it’s not just fan optimism—it’s tied for the largest climb ever in AP Poll history. This isn’t just a small bump; it’s a leap into the history books.
