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For the first time program history, the Villanova Wildcats (31-3) are the #1 team at the conclusion of the Regular Season and Conference Championships.
‘Nova, who won the BIG EAST Tournament Championship over the weekend, ascended to the top spot in the newest AP Poll released on Monday as the ‘Cats collected 59 of 65 first place votes.
Gonzaga (who received the balance of the first-place votes), Kansas, Arizona, and Kentucky round out the top 5. Butler is the other squad representing the BIG EAST.
Villanova, the #1 seed in the East Region, will next play in Buffalo on Thursday at 7:15p ET against the winner of the New Orleans v. Mount St. Mary’s play-in game. This is the eighth week that ‘Nova has held the top spot during the 2016-17 season.
AP Poll Week 19 (March 13)
| RK | TEAM | RECORD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| RK | TEAM | RECORD | PTS |
| 1 | Villanova (59) | 31-3 | 1,619 |
| 2 | Gonzaga (6) | 32-1 | 1,520 |
| 3 | Kansas | 28-4 | 1,479 |
| 4 | Arizona | 30-4 | 1,427 |
| 5 | Kentucky | 29-5 | 1,276 |
| 6 | North Carolina | 27-7 | 1,256 |
| 7 | Duke | 27-8 | 1,251 |
| 8 | UCLA | 29-4 | 1,208 |
| 9 | Oregon | 29-5 | 1,196 |
| 10 | Louisville | 24-8 | 983 |
| 11 | SMU | 30-4 | 953 |
| 12 | Baylor | 25-7 | 861 |
| 13 | West Virginia | 26-8 | 844 |
| 14 | Notre Dame | 25-9 | 684 |
| 15 | Purdue | 25-7 | 654 |
| 16 | Florida State | 25-8 | 570 |
| 17 | Iowa State | 23-10 | 562 |
| 18 | Cincinnati | 29-5 | 522 |
| 19 | Wichita State | 30-4 | 438 |
| 20 | Florida | 24-8 | 390 |
| 21 | Butler | 23-8 | 361 |
| 22 | Saint Mary's | 28-4 | 305 |
| 23 | Michigan | 24-11 | 254 |
| 24 | Virginia | 22-10 | 240 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | 25-9 | 153 |