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On the heels of Villanova’s (13-3, 8-2) second consecutive 1-1 week, the AP Voters have dropped the Wildcats to #10 in the poll released on Monday. Last week, Jay Wright’s squad romped Marquette by 32, but then lost in Omaha to Creighton over the weekend.
Gonzaga remains the nation’s #1 collecting data 59 of the 64 First Place votes (an improvement from 55 first-place votes last week); Baylor, at #2, tallied the other First Place votes to stay as the top duo for the tenth consecutive week. Three Big Ten teams — Michigan, Ohio State, and Illinois round out the Top 5.
BIG EAST frenemies Creighton, buoyed by their win over ‘Nova, improved to #14 and is the only other team ranked. Xavier is the only team from the conference receiving votes.
Kansas, Arkansas, and San Diego State entered the polls this week as Oklahoma State, Purdue, and Rutgers dropped out.
Villanova next plays on Saturday when they travel to Connecticut to take on the Huskies; the BIG EAST’s newest team.
Feburary 15, 2021 AP Poll
| RANK | TEAM | REC | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| RANK | TEAM | REC | PTS |
| 1 | Gonzaga (59) | 20-0 | 1595 |
| 2 | Baylor (5) | 17-0 | 1541 |
| 3 | Michigan | 14-1 | 1469 |
| 4 | Ohio State | 17-4 | 1402 |
| 5 | Illinois | 14-5 | 1290 |
| 6 | Houston | 17-2 | 1171 |
| 7 | Virginia | 15-3 | 1130 |
| 8 | Alabama | 17-5 | 1086 |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 13-5 | 1072 |
| 10 | Villanova | 13-3 | 1061 |
| 11 | Iowa | 15-6 | 911 |
| 12 | Texas | 13-5 | 886 |
| 13 | West Virginia | 14-6 | 837 |
| 14 | Creighton | 16-5 | 794 |
| 15 | Texas Tech | 14-6 | 792 |
| 16 | Florida State | 11-3 | 625 |
| 17 | USC | 17-3 | 587 |
| 18 | Virginia Tech | 14-4 | 514 |
| 19 | Tennessee | 14-5 | 453 |
| 20 | Missouri | 13-5 | 413 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | 15-7 | 274 |
| 22 | Loyola Chicago | 18-4 | 167 |
| 23 | Kansas | 15-7 | 141 |
| 24 | Arkansas | 16-5 | 111 |
| 25 | San Diego State | 15-4 | 75 |