Duke back to No. 1; Jayhawks at No. 16

By Jim O'Connell - Associated Press Basketball Writer     Feb 21, 2006

Duke moved back to No. 1 in the Associated Press’ college basketball poll Monday, replacing the only other team to hold the top spot this season.

The Blue Devils (25-1) were second to Connecticut the last four weeks, and they went back on top following the Huskies’ loss last week to Villanova.

Villanova (21-2) jumped from fourth to second – matching the highest ranking in school history – and Connecticut (23-2) dropped to No. 3. Memphis (24-2) fell one place to fourth in the shake-up at the top.

Kansas University, buoyed by two victories last week, moved up to No. 16.

Villanova, which followed its 69-64 victory over Connecticut with a victory Sunday over Georgetown, has won 10 straight for the second time this season. The Wildcats were No. 1 on three ballots and received 1,700 points.

George Washington (22-1) holds the nation’s longest winning streak at 14 games, and the Colonials moved up one place to sixth. It is their highest ranking since being a school-best No. 5 on Feb. 15, 1955.

Texas, which lost, 81-60, on Sunday at Oklahoma State, dropped one spot to seventh and was followed by Illinois, Pittsburgh and Tennessee.

Tied at No. 25 with Nevada, Northern Iowa (22-6) returned to the rankings after falling out for one week. The Panthers cracked the Top 25 for the first time in school history this season, but dropped out following a loss to Missouri State. They lost their next game to Indiana State, but came back with a 65-61 double-overtime victory Saturday against Bucknell.

The loss knocked Bucknell (21-4) out of the Top 25 one week after the Bison made the first appearance in school history.

Nevada (20-5) was ranked as high as No. 17 this season before falling out for the last seven weeks.

Keegan’s top 25

My guilt over ranking George Washington as high as ninth was softened somewhat when the rankings came out and had the Colonials ranked sixth. Enough! Just because they keep winning, that doesn’t mean they should continue to move up the rankings. Meanwhile, Kansas could crack the top 10 with a victory Saturday in Austin, Texas. If the Jayhawks win out and win the Big 12 tourney, expect a No. 2 seed.

Team Record

1. Duke 25-1

2. Villanova 21-2

3. UConn 23-2

4. Memphis 24-2

5. Gonzaga 22-3

6. Texas 22-4

7. Tennessee 19-4

8. Florida 22-4

9. George Washington 22-1

10. Pittsburgh 20-4

11. Ohio State 19-4

12. Illinois 22-4

13. Kansas 19-6

14. Michigan State 19-7

15. Boston College 21-5

16. West Virginia 18-7

17. N.C. State 21-5

18. North Carolina 17-6

19. Iowa 20-7

20. Wisconsin 18-7

21. Washington 20-5

22. Oklahoma 17-6

23. LSU 18-7

24. Georgetown 17-7

25. UCLA 20-6

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