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Arizona strengthened its place atop the Related Press Prime 25 males’s faculty basketball ballot Monday, organising a showdown this weekend towards Purdue, the previous No. 1 crew within the nation.
The Wildcats earned all however one first-place vote from a panel of 63 voters, little question impressing them with their 98-73 win over the No. 23 Badgers. They picked up three extra first-place votes as they topped the ballot for the second straight week, whereas Kansas remained at No. 2 and Purdue — which Arizona had supplanted at No. 1 — moved up one spot to 3rd after wins over Iowa and Alabama.
The Wildcats (8-0) play the Boilermakers (9-1) on Saturday in Indianapolis.
“We spend numerous time speaking about Arizona basketball legacy,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd stated over the weekend, “and this group proper now, we’re within the solar. The solar is shining on us proper now.”
Houston obtained the one No. 1 vote that did not go to the Wildcats however nonetheless dropped one spot to fourth. UConn remained at No. 5 after beating ninth-ranked North Carolina and Arkansas-Pine Bluff final week.
Baylor once more gave the Large 12 half of the highest six groups within the nation. The Bears at No. 6 have been adopted by Marquette, then Creighton, the Tar Heels and Gonzaga, which fell three spots to No. 10 after its 78-73 loss to Washington.
“We have got a protracted season. Large video games developing,” stated Bulldogs ahead Anton Watson, whose crew will play fifth-ranked UConn on Friday evening in Seattle. “I do not assume one loss, two losses, goes to find out a season. All of us have that mindset.”
Whereas there was little motion inside the prime 10 this week, there have been some wild swings inside the remainder of the Prime 25.
Oklahoma made one of many largest jumps, climbing eight spots to No. 11 after wins over Windfall and Arkansas. The unbeaten Sooners have been adopted by Tennessee, which climbed 5 spots, and undefeated Clemson, which moved as much as No. 13 after beating South Carolina and TCU to stay one of many seven groups with excellent information left in Division I basketball.
Kentucky moved up two spots to No. 14 whereas Florida Atlantic fell 4 spots to No. 15 after its loss to Illinois.
The Illini slotted in proper behind the Owls, whereas Colorado State, BYU, Texas and James Madison spherical out the highest 20. Duke was at No. 21, adopted by Virginia, Wisconsin, the Miami Hurricanes and Northwestern at No. 25. The Wildcats (7-1) are ranked for the second straight season however solely the seventh time because the 1968-69 season.
“I hear about it at house. My daughter might be the largest one which was mad that we did not get ranked final week. She’s the one which has been yelling and screaming that we have to be within the Prime 25,” stated Northwestern coach Chris Collins, whose crew is off to its greatest eight-game begin because the 2015-16 season. “These are all good rewards for a crew that’s taking part in onerous and dealing onerous, however we’re not fearful about that. Our complete focus proper now could be profitable basketball video games.”
The Hurricanes fell 9 spots to No. 24 after their 90-63 loss to Colorado, which was virtually sufficient to get the Buffalos ranked; they have been the primary crew outdoors the Prime 25. Texas fell seven spots after shedding to Marquette and beating Houston Christian.
Texas A&M dropped out of the ballot after shedding to Memphis on Sunday. San Diego State additionally fell out after shedding to Grand Canyon, which has by no means been ranked however obtained one vote for No. 25 this week.
