Michigan makes the πππππππ jump in the 70-year history of the AP Poll coming in at No. 4 in week four!
#GoBlue γ½οΈπ
In the AP Top 25 poll released Monday, December 2, 2019, the Michigan Wolverines surged from unranked straight to No. 4βan unprecedented jump that matches the largest climb in over 70 years of AP Poll history . The only other program to make that dramatic leap was Kansas in late November 1989 .
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What Sparked the Ascent?
Michigan began the season outside the Top 25, but their undefeated run in the prestigious BattleΒ 4Β Atlantis tournament was a statement. Victories included:
Iowa State
No.Β 6 North Carolina (73β64)
No.Β 8 Gonzaga in the Bahamas final (82β64)
This 7β0 start and wealth of quality wins earned them 9 first-place votes and a leap from receiving votes to the top five .
—
The 2019-20 Context
New head coach Juwan Howard, former Fab Five member, took over and immediately delivered results, leading Michigan to a flawless 7β0 start .
Senior guard Zavier Simpson became a key playmaker and led the nation in assists (~9.7 ppg) .
Center Jon Teske shined in the Bahamas, earning tournament MVP honors after dominating boards and blocks .
Michiganβs championship odds rallied in parallelβgrabbing +2000 lines in futures betting after the poll jump .
—
Why It Matters
This feat represents the biggest single-week climb since the AP poll began in January 1949 .
It reaffirmed Michiganβs return to elite national prominence, reminding fans and analysts of their championship pedigree.
The 2019-20 campaign echoed the school’s storied success, including multiple Final Four runs and legendary teams like the Fab Five and the 2013β14 Sweet Sixteen squad .
—
Aftermath & Legacy
This jump tied Kansas (1989) for the largest rise ever in AP poll, a mark that still stands .
It marked Michiganβs highest debut ever in the AP Poll eraβNo. 4 in just their fifth poll appearance of the season .
It reaffirmed Juwan Howardβs instant impact as a coach, setting the tone for future success .
—
In Summary
What unfolded in early December 2019 was a seismic moment:
From unranked to No. 4 in one weekβMichigan joined Kansas as the only teams to pull off such a monumental vault .
A 7β0 start under Juwan Howard, highlighted by the Battle 4 Atlantis championship and dominant performances by key players.
A turning point in their season and a powerful reminder to college hoops: #GoBlue is back.
—
Michiganβs jump isnβt just a statβitβs a testament to resilience, star power, and legacy. And while 2019-20 is the most famous case, they’ve continued flirting with big jumps in recent seasons too, like the rise to No.β―12 in February 2025 following signature Big Ten wins .
Hereβs an in-depth look at Michiganβs record-breaking jump in the AP Poll:
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π History-Making Leap to No. 4
In the AP Top 25 poll released Monday, December 2, 2019, the Michigan Wolverines surged from unranked straight to No. 4βan unprecedented jump that matches the largest climb in over 70 years of AP Poll history . The only other program to make that dramatic leap was Kansas in late November 1989 .
—
What Sparked the Ascent?
Michigan began the season outside the Top 25, but their undefeated run in the prestigious BattleΒ 4Β Atlantis tournament was a statement. Victories included:
Iowa State
No.Β 6 North Carolina (73β64)
No.Β 8 Gonzaga in the Bahamas final (82β64)
This 7β0 start and wealth of quality wins earned them 9 first-place votes and a leap from receiving votes to the top five .
—
The 2019-20 Context
New head coach Juwan Howard, former Fab Five member, took over and immediately delivered results, leading Michigan to a flawless 7β0 start .
Senior guard Zavier Simpson became a key playmaker and led the nation in assists (~9.7 ppg) .
Center Jon Teske shined in the Bahamas, earning tournament MVP honors after dominating boards and blocks .
Michiganβs championship odds rallied in parallelβgrabbing +2000 lines in futures betting after the poll jump .
—
Why It Matters
This feat represents the biggest single-week climb since the AP poll began in January 1949 .
It reaffirmed Michiganβs return to elite national prominence, reminding fans and analysts of their championship pedigree.
The 2019-20 campaign echoed the school’s storied success, including multiple Final Four runs and legendary teams like the Fab Five and the 2013β14 Sweet Sixteen squad .
—
Aftermath & Legacy
This jump tied Kansas (1989) for the largest rise ever in AP poll, a mark that still stands .
It marked Michiganβs highest debut ever in the AP Poll eraβNo. 4 in just their fifth poll appearance of the season .
It reaffirmed Juwan Howardβs instant impact as a coach, setting the tone for future success .
—
In Summary
What unfolded in early December 2019 was a seismic moment:
From unranked to No. 4 in one weekβMichigan joined Kansas as the only teams to pull off such a monumental vault .
A 7β0 start under Juwan Howard, highlighted by the Battle 4 Atlantis championship and dominant performances by key players.
A turning point in their season and a powerful reminder to college hoops: #GoBlue is back.
—
Michiganβs jump isnβt just a statβitβs a testament to resilience, star power, and legacy. And while 2019-20 is the most famous case, they’ve continued flirting with big jumps in recent seasons too, like the rise to No.β―12 in February 2025 following signature Big Ten wins .
—
Let me know if you’d like a recap of how the season unfolded after this surgeβand of course, #GoBlue! ππ
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