Tennessee remains No. 1 after a quiet holiday week in the AP Top 25.

The Volunteers received 41 first-place votes from a 61-person media panel in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll released Monday. No. 2 Auburn had 20 first-place votes, with Iowa State, Duke and Alabama rounding out the top five.

The Tigers gained ground on Tennessee’s No. 1 spot last Monday and did it again this week despite not playing, picking up eight additional first-place votes.

The top 13 teams remained unchanged following a week in which 12 ranked teams didn’t play.

Tennessee is among four unbeatens left in men’s Division I basketball, including three from the Southeastern Conference, joining No. 6 Florida (10-0)and No. 12 Oklahoma (10-0). Drake (9-0) also begins this week undefeated.

The Gators beat Stetson 85-45 and the Sooners knocked off Prairie View 89-67.

Former FSU players suing coach for failed NIL payments >> Six former Florida State basketball players sued Seminoles coach Leonard Hamilton, alleging he failed to make good on a promise to get each of them $250,000 in name, image and likeness compensation.

The plaintiffs — Darin Green Jr., De’Ante Green, Cam’Ron Fletcher, Josh Nickelberry, Primo Spears and Jalen Warley — filed suit in Leon County circuit court. Their attorney, Fort Lauderdale-based Darren Heitner, shared the 20-page complaint with The Associated Press. Yahoo Sports first reported the case.

The former players allege Hamilton promised them the money from his “business partners.” The lawsuit says they walked out of a practice last season over the missed payments and intended to boycott a Feb. 17 game against Duke.

Women’s college basketball

UCLA stays no. 1 in Women’s Poll >> UConn coach Geno Auriemma moved into a tie with Tara VanDerveer for the most appearances with one school in the women’s basketball AP Top 25 as the Huskies remained seventh.

Auriemma has now led UConn to 627 appearances in the poll in his 40 years at the school, matching VanDerveer’s mark at Stanford before her retirement. She also had Ohio State ranked 27 times when the Hall of Fame coach was in charge of that school before joining the Cardinal and holds the overall record by a coach for appearances in the poll.

Auriemma passed VanDerveer’s NCAA record career win total earlier in the season and has 1,224 victories now after his team routed Providence on Sunday.

After a week where many schools played only a single game, UCLA, South Carolina and Notre Dame remained the top three teams and the first 18 schools were unchanged. The Bruins, Gamecocks and Irish all had routs in their lone games of the week, winning by an average of nearly 41 points. Every school in the country was off last week until Friday — a chance to recharge for the three-month sprint to the NCAA Tournament.

Baseball

Pederson signs 2 year deal with Rangers >> Joc Pederson and the Texas Rangers finalized a $37 million, two-year contract after the designated hitter-outfielder successfully completed a physical.

The left-handed hitter’s introduction came a week after agreeing to the deal, which includes an opt-out for Pederson after the 2025 season. There is also a mutual option for an additional season in 2027.

Nationals resign pitcher Williams >> The Washington Nationals are bringing back pitcher Trevor Williams.

The team agreed to terms with Williams on a two-year contract worth $14 million, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Monday because the deal was pending a successful physical exam.