Duke falls out of Top 25, ending 91-week run
The top three remain unchanged while two Big Ten teams surged and a pair of ACC teams — including Duke — fell out of the Associated Press Top 25 men’s basketball poll released Monday.
Undefeated Gonzaga (62 first-place votes) and Baylor (2) remain 1-2 followed by 8-1 Villanova at No. 3. No. 4 Iowa (12-2) and No. 5 Texas (11-2) flipped spots this week to round out the top 5. Villanova hasn’t played since Dec. 23.
The ACC’s Duke and Louisville dropped out of the Top 25 this week, while Alabama (11-3) debuted at No. 18 and UCLA (11-2) entered at No. 24.
The Blue Devils’ streak of 91 consecutive weeks in the Top 25 came to an end. Duke’s streak was second only to Kansas, which extended its record to 229 weeks. Gonzaga is the new No. 2 on that list at 87 weeks.
Ohio State (11-3) and Minnesota (11-4) of the Big Ten were the biggest risers of the week, both jumping six spots to No. 15 and No. 17, respectively.
Tennessee (10-1) jumped four spots to No. 6 and Michigan (11-1) held steady at No. 7. Houston (11-1), Kansas (10-3) and Wisconsin (11-3) rounded out the top 10.
ST. JOHN’S 74, NO. 23 UCONN 70 >>
Posh Alexander scored 18 points to lead five in double figures, and the Red Storm (8-7, 3-6 Big East) came from behind to upset the host Huskies.
R.J. Cole scored 18 points, and Tyrese Martin had 14 for UConn (7-2, 4-2), which played its third consecutive game without leading scorer James Bouknight, who is recovering from elbow surgery. COVID CONCERNS:
• Michigan State is postponing its game this weekend against No. 22 Illinois, losing a third straight game due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Coach Tom Izzo made the announcement Monday, a day after one additional player and two non-coaching staff members tested positive for the coronavirus.
Women
LOUISVILLE IS NO. 1, STANFORD DROPS TO FIFTH >> Louisville is No. 1 in The Associated Press women’s college basketball poll for the first time in school history.
The Cardinals moved to the top spot, a day after previous No. 1 Stanford lost to Colorado. Louisville will play its first game as No. 1 against Syracuse on Thursday.
North Carolina State came in second for the Wolfpack’s best ranking since Dec. 31, 1990.
UConn, South Carolina and Stanford round out the first five teams in the poll. Stanford was one of nine ranked teams to lose last week.
Georgia entered the poll at No. 22, the Bulldogs’ first ranking since the 2018-19 season, while Iowa State was the other newcomer. Texas and Washington State fell out.
COVID CONCERNS:
• Vanderbilt has decided to end its season after struggling with a depleted roster. The school announced the move on Monday. The Commodores join a growing list of women’s basketball teams that have decided to stop playing that now includes Duke, SMU, Virginia and San Jose State, among others.