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Despite defeating a Top 15 team Villanova (16-5, 11-4) dropped to #14 in the newest AP Poll released on Monday. The Wildcats went 1-1 last week with a victory over then #14 Creighton and a road loss at Providence on Saturday ending the Cats’ streak of 12 straight weeks in the Top 10.
Gonzaga remains the nation’s #1 collecting 61 of the 63 First Place votes as Baylor returns to the #2 spot in the country. A trio of Big Ten schools round out the Top 5; Illinois, Michigan, and Iowa- in that order.
BIG EAST frenemies Creighton dropped a spot to #17 and is the only other team from the conference ranked. UConn is the only team from the conference receiving votes.
USC is the only new entry to this week’s AP Top 25; Wisconisn dropped out of the polls.
Villanova next returns to action on Thursday in the Quarterfinals of the 2021 BIG EAST Tournament when the top-seeded Wildcats will play the winner of the 8/9 game between Georgetown and Marquette. Tip time is set for 12p ET and will be broadcast on FS1.
March 8, 2021 AP Poll
| RK | TEAM | REC | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| RK | TEAM | REC | PTS |
| 1 | Gonzaga (61) | 24-0 | 1573 |
| 2 | Baylor (2) | 21-1 | 1510 |
| 3 | Illinois | 20-6 | 1438 |
| 4 | Michigan | 19-3 | 1382 |
| 5 | Iowa | 20-7 | 1314 |
| 6 | Alabama | 21-6 | 1239 |
| 7 | Houston | 21-3 | 1173 |
| 8 | Arkansas | 21-5 | 1046 |
| 9 | Ohio State | 18-8 | 1032 |
| 10 | West Virginia | 18-8 | 919 |
| 11 | Kansas | 19-8 | 873 |
| 12 | Oklahoma State | 18-7 | 851 |
| 13 | Texas | 17-7 | 802 |
| 14 | Villanova | 16-5 | 729 |
| 15 | Florida State | 15-5 | 687 |
| 16 | Virginia | 17-6 | 531 |
| 17 | Creighton | 18-7 | 510 |
| 18 | Loyola Chicago | 24-4 | 488 |
| 19 | San Diego State | 20-4 | 462 |
| 20 | Texas Tech | 17-9 | 389 |
| Purdue | 18-8 | 389 | |
| 22 | Virginia Tech | 15-5 | 266 |
| 23 | Colorado | 20-7 | 209 |
| 24 | USC | 21-6 | 175 |
| 25 | Oklahoma | 14-9 | 172 |