Villanova still No. 1; Virginia and Purdue rise in AP Top 25

Duke was the ACC’s preseason favorite and North Carolina the defending national champion.

The conference leader and highest-ranked team so far: Virginia.

Picked to finish sixth in the ACC preseason poll, the Cavaliers (15-1, 4-0) have been the conference’s most consistent team so far this season behind their still-stifling defense.

Virginia (16-1, 5-0 ACC) moved up a spot to No. 2 and received a firstplace vote in the AP Top 25 released on Monday, its highest ranking since reaching No. 2 in the 201415 season.

The Cavaliers, No. 1 in KenPom.com’s defensive efficiency rankings, beat Syracuse and North Carolina State last week.

“They’ve taken care of business, so they’re in this spot,” Virginia Coach Tony Bennett said of his players. “Our pillar in our program is all about humility. It just means knowing who you are. I’ve said this before. They’re very clear on how they have to play. They do it together.”

Villanova remained at the top spot for the second straight week, receiving 63 of 65 first-place votes from a media panel. The Wildcats (16-1, 4-1 Big East) moved atop the poll for the second time this season after Michigan State’s loss to Ohio State last week and stayed there after wins over No. 10 Xavier and St. John’s.

Purdue had the other No. 1 vote and moved up two spots to No. 3, its highest ranking since reaching No. 3 in 2009-10 after extending its winning streak to 13 games with victories over Michigan and Minnesota . Matt Painter’s Boilermakers (17-2, 6-0 Big Ten) are off to their best start since 1987-88 and best in the Big Ten since winning the first eight games of 1989-90.

Oklahoma and star freshman Trae Young continued their rise through the poll, moving up five spots to No. 4. The Sooners (14-2, 4-1 Big 12) have their highest ranking since reaching No. 1 in 2015-16, when they reached the Final Four. Duke moved up two spots to No. 5.