The Wildcats’ 80-70 victory at Creighton on New Year’s Eve improved their record to 14-0. The 10th-ranked Bluejays are the highest-ranked team Villanova has played this season, and previously unbeaten Creighton wasn’t penalized for the loss, remaining in the same spot this week.
There was movement in the top 10, though, as new No. 2 Baylor and No. 4 UCLA swapped spots after the Bruins’ loss to Oregon last week; Kansas holds steady at No. 3. Gonzaga rounds out this weeks top five after moving up a pair of spots.
DECOURCY: Jeff Capel faces big challenge as Coack K fill-in
Virginia Tech is the only new addition to the poll this week, entering at No. 21 after rolling past Duke in its ACC opener. There were no dropouts, as Indiana and USC tied for 25th.
The full Top 25:
Rank. Team (first-place votes), W-L, Pts 1. Villanova (59), 14-0, 1,619 2. Baylor (6), 13-0, 1,532 3. Kansas, 12-1, 1,503 4. UCLA, 14-1, 1,406 5. Gonzaga, 14-0, 1,357 6. Kentucky, 11-2, 1,280 7. West Virginia, 12-1, 1,179 8. Duke, 12-2, 1,090 9. Louisville, 12-2, 1,063 10. Creighton, 13-1, 1,015 11. Virginia, 11-2, 954 12. Florida State, 14-1, 902 13. Wisconsin, 12-2, 865 14. North Carolina, 12-3, 785 15. Oregon, 13-2, 771 16. Xavier, 12-2, 634 17. Arizona, 13-2, 613 18. Butler, 12-2, 477 19. Saint Mary’s, 12-1, 416 20. Purdue, 12-3, 405 21. Virginia Tech, 12-1, 293 22. Cincinnati, 12-2, 258 23. Notre Dame, 12-2, 250 24. Florida, 10-3, 193 25. Indiana, 10-4, 74 25. USC, 14-1, 74
Others receiving votes: Minnesota 56, Clemson 23, Miami 16, Maryland 6, Kansas State 5, Seton Hall 3, Iowa State 3, Northwestern 2, VCU 2, UNC Wilmington 1.