:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62881156/usa_today_12020958.0.jpg)
The Villanova Wildcats have won six consecutive games and remain undefeated in the 2019 calendar year. That’s one of many reasons they’re slowly but surely climbing back up to college basketball rankings. This week they come in at #18 in the AP Poll, moving up four spots. It’s their highest ranking since Week 5.
But while Villanova’s stock is on the rise, one of their biggest wins of the season isn’t looking so great anymore. The Florida State Seminoles, who Villanova beat in the AdvoCare Invitational Championship in November, are on a three game losing streak and today fell out of the AP Poll Top 25. This could have a significant impact on the Wildcats tournament resume if FSU doesn’t find a way to right the ship.
As for the Big East, they continue to beat up on one another. #12 Marquette and Villanova remain the only schools that are ranked this week. The rest of the Big East isn’t even receiving votes. However, Jay Wright’s former stomping grounds, Hofstra, is still holding on to one vote as the owners of the nation’s longest winning streak (14 games).
2018-19 AP Poll: Week 12
| Rank | School (#1 Votes) | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Rank | School (#1 Votes) | Points |
| 1 | Tennessee (48) | 1,575 |
| 2 | Duke (11) | 1,520 |
| 3 | Virginia (3) | 1,451 |
| 4 | Gonzaga | 1,374 |
| 5 | Michigan | 1,363 |
| 6 | Michigan State (2) | 1,355 |
| 7 | Nevada | 1,143 |
| 8 | Kentucky | 1,087 |
| 9 | Kansas | 1,060 |
| 10 | Virginia Tech | 1,007 |
| 11 | North Carolina | 895 |
| 12 | Marquette | 861 |
| 13 | Maryland | 751 |
| 14 | Texas Tech | 743 |
| 14 | Buffalo | 743 |
| 16 | Auburn | 627 |
| 17 | Houston | 544 |
| 18 | Villanova | 450 |
| 19 | Iowa | 332 |
| 20 | Mississippi | 291 |
| 21 | North Carolina State | 282 |
| 22 | Mississippi State | 266 |
| 23 | Louisville | 230 |
| 24 | Iowa State | 156 |
| 25 | LSU | 154 |
Others Receiving Votes: Florida St. 139, Purdue 111, Kansas St 91, Nebraska 66, Wisconsin 64, Oklahoma 16, Syracuse 13, Washington 11, Murray St. 9, Cincinnati 6, Wofford 5, Saint Louis 3, San Francisco 2, Florida 2, TCU 1, Hofstra 1.
Polling History
Some interesting Villanova AP Poll facts from College Poll Archive and College Poll Tracker:
- It’s Villanova’s 376th ranking in the AP Poll (18th All-Time, 2 behind #17 Notre Dame)
- It’s Villanova’s 2nd consecutive week in the AP Poll (Tied for 19th longest active streak)
- The only AP voter to rank Villanova all season has been Jeff Call
Additional Polling Data
Some would argue these “experts” are more relevant than the AP Poll.
KenPom: Nova is 27th overall, 11th in Adj. Offense, and 84th in Adj. Defense
Sagarin: Nova is 16th overall, 17th in Predictive, 11th in Golden Mean, and 11th in Recent
Massey: Nova is 21st overall, 19th in Power Rating, 46th in Offense, and 21st in Defense
Kendrick: #18 looks good on the Wildcats and 18 good looks on Anna Kendrick
And if you’re looking for another set of rankings to care about, try reading Rankings 101.