:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68684910/usa_today_12126478.0.jpg)
Somehow, the Villanova Wildcats (8-1, 3-0) have maintained their #3 ranking in the newest AP Poll released on Monday despite not playing a single basketball game since December 23rd.
Gonzaga remains the nation’s #1 collecting 62 of the 64 First Place votes; Baylor, at #2, tallied the other First Place votes to stay at #2 for the seventh consecutive week. Iowa and Texas round out the Top 5.
BIG EAST frenemies Creighton dropped to #11 and Connecticut improved in the poll at #23; Xavier also represents the Conference in the “Also Receiving Votes” category.
UCLA and Alabama entered the polls this week as Louisville and Duke dropped out. This marks the first time since February of 2016 that the Blue Devils are not in the AP Poll.
The Villanova program is on its second mandatory COVID hiatus due to positive tests by two players. ‘Nova is next set to play this week- on Tuesday January 19th- when they host Seton Hall.
January 18, 2021 Poll
| RANK | TEAM | POINTS |
|---|---|---|
| RANK | TEAM | POINTS |
| 1 | Gonzaga (14-0) | 1,598 (62) |
| 2 | Baylor (12-0) | 1,538 (2) |
| 3 | Villanova (8-1) | 1,445 |
| 4 | Iowa (12-2) | 1,420 |
| 5 | Texas (11-2) | 1,289 |
| 6 | Tennessee (10-1) | 1,242 |
| 7 | Michigan (11-1) | 1,197 |
| 8 | Houston (11-1) | 1,155 |
| 9 | Kansas (10-3) | 1,072 |
| 10 | Wisconsin (11-3) | 939 |
| 11 | Creighton (10-3) | 833 |
| 12 | Texas Tech (11-4) | 792 |
| 13 | Virginia (9-2) | 778 |
| 14 | West Virginia (9-4) | 732 |
| 15 | Ohio State (11-3) | 631 |
| 16 | Virginia Tech (11-2) | 536 |
| 17 | Minnesota (11-4) | 507 |
| 18 | Alabama (11-3) | 487 |
| 19 | Missouri (8-2) | 462 |
| 20 | Clemson (9-2) | 354 |
| 21 | Oregon (9-2) | 235 |
| 22 | Illinois (9-5) | 232 |
| 23 | Connecticut (7-1) | 209 |
| 24 | UCLA (11-2) | 195 |
| 25 | Saint Louis (7-1) | 172 |