Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Jayhawks unanimous No. 1 in poll
At No. 3, Dayton reaches highest ranking since ’55-56
A string of losses to unranked opponents led to upheaval in the AP Top 25 this week.
Kansas kept winning, strengthening its grip on No. 1.
The Jayhawks were the unanimous choice for the top spot in The AP poll released Monday, receiving all 64 votes from the media panel.
Gonzaga was No. 2, with Dayton, Baylor and San Diego State rounding out the top five. The Aztecs, No. 9 Maryland and No. 18 Iowa were the only other teams to hold their place after a week in which nine Top 25 teams lost to unranked opponents.
Kansas moved to No. 1 for the second time this season a week ago after knocking off previously top-ranked Baylor. The Jayhawks remained atop the poll after beating Oklahoma State and rival Kansas State.
With Baylor’s loss to TCU, Kansas has a one-game lead in the Big 12 Conference with a week left in the regular season.
“That made us play a lot better,” Kansas coach Bill Self said with a smile. “It goes to show you that when teams are turned up and play with an edge, different things can happen.”
The Jayhawks host TCU on Wednesday and play at Texas Tech on Saturday.
Gonzaga bounced back from its loss to BYU, rolling over rival Saint Mary’s 86-76 on Saturday to win its eighth straight West Coast Conference regularseason title.
Dayton has its highest ranking since reaching No. 2 in 1955-56 after stretching its winning streak to 18 games with victories over George Mason and Davidson last week.
The Flyers wrapped up the Atlantic 10 Conference title with an impressive offensive display against Davidson, shooting 72.3% — their highest percentage in 34 years — while making 27 of 28 shots inside the 3-point arc.
“It feels like everybody was locked in today,” said Dayton’s Obi Toppin, who had 23 points in the 82-67 win.
Reigning national champion Virginia returned to the poll at No. 22 after knocking off Virginia Tech and Duke.
Illinois moved in at No. 23 following wins over Indiana and Northwestern.
No. 24 Wisconsin is ranked for the first time this season after victories against No. 25 Michigan and Minnesota.
Georgia Tech out of ACC tourney:
Georgia Tech withdrew its appeal of NCAA penalties and will not play in this month’s ACC tournament.
The school announced Nov. 15 it would appeal a one-year ban on postseason play as well as scholarship reductions and limits on official visits. By accepting those penalties for this year Monday, Georgia Tech is assured of being eligible to compete in the postseason in the 2020-21 season and beyond.
Georgia Tech (15-14, 9-9 ACC) likely would have had to win next week’s ACC tournament in Greensboro, N.C., to earn a bid to this year’s NCAA tournament.
The NCAA ruled in September that major recruiting violations were committed by one of coach Josh Pastner’s former assistants, Darryl LaBarrie, as well as one-time friend, Ron Bell. Pastner wasn’t directly named in the NCAA’s findings and was largely cleared in the school’s investigation.
Duke bounces back: Freshman Cassius Stanley scored 14 of his 18 points after halftime as No. 12 Duke took over in the second half to beat visiting North Carolina State 88-69.
Fellow rookie Vernon Carey Jr. added 17 points for the Blue Devils, who shot 63% after halftime and had a run of 17 straight scoring possessions to build a big lead.
It was quite a reversal for the Blue Devils (24-6, 14-5 ACC), who lost the first meeting 88-66 in Raleigh less than two weeks ago for Mike Krzyzewski’s most lopsided loss to an unranked opponent in his four decades leading the program. It was also a welcome response after back-to-back losses on the road.
Layup: Illinois gave coach Brad Underwood a three-year contract extension through 2026, the school announced.