LAWRENCE, Kan. On Monday, Kansas dropped from the Associated Press poll for men for the first time in 12 years and ended the Jayhawks’ record series of 231 consecutive weeks in the Top 25.
Gonzaga and Baylor retained the top two spots, just like the entire season, with the Bulldogs receiving 55 of 63 votes in the first place and the Bears the other eight. Michigan took advantage of Villanova’s loss to St. Louis. John’s to jump into the top three, rival Ohio State climbed three places to No. 4 and the Wildcats rounded out the top five.
Illinois gave the Big Ten three teams in the top six after beating Indiana in overtime and beating 21st Wisconsin at the weekend. The Illini are followed by Texas Tech, Houston, Virginia and Missouri, who beat Kentucky and Alabama No. 11 to reach the top 10 for the first time since December 24, 2012.
However, the real drama did not come at the top of the poll, but at the bottom of it.
The Jayhawks started their Top 25 series on February 2, 2009, when first-year guard Bryce Thompson was 6 years old. Their ten-year dominance, which began the season after winning the national championship, included ten consecutive major 12 titles in the regular season, five conference tournament titles, two more Final Four rides and a runner-up in 2012.
Their game against Oklahoma State, no. 23, last night had to be the Jayhawks’ first rankings in 434 games.
“It’s basketball and we have another game to focus on,” Jayhawks guard Jalen Wilson said after a 91-79 defeat Saturday at No. 1. 14 in West Virginia, their sixth in the last ten games. “In basketball, sometimes you have to focus on what’s in front of you and not think about the past and what you could not do. Another day, another game we just have to focus on.”
The Jayhawks started 8-1 and climbed to No. 3 on Dec. 28, with their lone loss to Gonzaga and victories over then-teams Kentucky, West Virginia, Creighton and Texas Tech on the road. But they have struggled since the start of the Big 12 game, Thompson lost due to an injury and did not get enough production from another veteran team.
“We still have a lot of games to win and I know this team can do it,” said Kansas guard Christian Braun. “Everyone’s head is in a good place, but we just have to do it in court. We have to stop talking about it and actually be about it.”
A bit like the Bulldogs and Bears this season.
Gonzaga was at halftime with the Pacific last week before a 25-8 finish to easily win the game, and his game against Santa Clara was canceled at the weekend. The Bulldogs had a tough test against BYU on Monday night.
“It’s really hard when everyone around them is national, and everyone just thinks you’re going to bubble through things,” Bulldogs coach Mark Few said, but that’s not a reality. ‘
Baylor knocks-No. 6 Texas underway last week in the first game involving top 10 teams from the state of Texas, to announce another break for COVID-19 on Thursday. This led to postponement against TCU and Oklahoma no. 11, so the Bears will not even be in court again until they face Texas Tech on Saturday.
The Crimson Tide and Sooners are at number 13 followed by the Longhorns, who lost seven places last week after their losses to Baylor and Oklahoma State. The Mountaineers were next, with Iowa falling seven places to No. 15, followed by Tennessee, Florida State, Virginia Tech, Creighton and Southern California.
Wisconsin, Loyola of Chicago, Oklahoma State, Purdue and Rutgers rounded out the Top 25.
IN AND OUT
Loyola took part in the poll for the first time since the final poll of the 1984-85 season. This may surprise those who remember the Ramblers’ dramatic run-up to the Final Four in 2018, but they never beat the Top 25 that season.
The Trojans’ victory over the then no. 21 UCLA pushed them to their first rankings since December 2017 on Saturday night, while Oklahoma States and Rutgers also joined the Top 25. The Cowboys are ranked for the first time since February 2015.
The Bruins fell out, along with Kansas, Florida and Drake, whose 18-0 lead was spoiled in a 74-57 defeat against Valparaiso.
Knock on the door
Colorado, San Diego State and Xavier were the first three to reside outside the Top 25, while Belmont still garnered votes after the Bruins improved to 20-1 with clutter over Eastern Illinois and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville.