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UCLA Basketball sit just outside the Top 25 in the latest AP Poll

By Mike Regalado

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 24: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins reacts in the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats during the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at FedExForum on March 24, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 24: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins reacts in the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats during the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at FedExForum on March 24, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The UCLA Basketball team has improved to 7-1 this season, though that was not enough to get them into the week 5 edition of the AP Top 25 Poll.

The UCLA basketball team is still on the outside looking in when it comes to the Ap Top 25 Poll. The Bruins were jettisoned from the poll last week after losing to Creighton just before Thanksgiving. Since then, they have rattled off four straight wins, including two from last week against Cal State Bakersfield and Detroit Mercy.

RELATED: UCLA shows no (Detroit) Mercy with big offensive game

The Bruins did not have a good showing against Bakersfield in the first half, shooting 34.5% ,but pulled things together in the second, making 56.7%. UCLA continued their offensive display with their best all-around game against Detroit Mercy on Sunday night.

In that game, the Bruins scored the most points in a half this season with 52 before halftime. They broke that in the second putting up 54. UCLA shot 52.8% while limiting Detroit Mercy to 43.1% shooting. The Bruins were quick on offense, had more stability on defense and had a very efficient in their transition game which silenced the Titans.

Still, it was not enough to get the Bruins in the Top 25. They have 75 votes, the 27th most given by the AP voters.

Interestingly enough, USC (4-2) is still in the Top 25 despite consecutive loses. The Trojans only had one game last week and lost to unranked SMU and dropped from 14th to 25th. Arizona State (7-0) continues their climb as they moved from 20th to 14th.

Next: UCLA's slow starts and second half surges

Arizona also remains outside the Top 25. Despite two wins (after three straight losses), the Wildcats were only able to collect 10 votes. For the complete Top 25, click HERE.