Feb. 15--In a week filled with inconsistencies, Villanova deserves credit for remaining on top.
After the Wildcats ascended to No. 1 last week, many wondered if they could hang on. They survived a fight from St. John's and also beat DePaul. That's good enough.
Kansas also took another step forward after an impressive victory against Oklahoma.
Here's how I voted in this week's Associated Press Top 25.
(Last week's ranking in parentheses; records through Sunday)
1. (1) Villanova 22-3.
2. (6) Kansas 21-4.
3. (5) Oklahoma 20-4.
4. (2) Iowa 20-5.
5. (10) North Carolina 21-4.
6. (4) Maryland 22-4.
7. (7) Virginia 20-5.
8. (9) Miami 20-4.
9. (8) West Virginia 20-5.
10. (11) Michigan State 21-5.
11. (3) Xavier 22-3.
12. (21) Arizona 21-5.
13. (15) Dayton 21-3.
14. (23) Notre Dame 18-7.
15. (24) Kentucky 19-6.
16. (NR) Duke 19-6.
17. (12) Louisville 19-6.
18. (16) SMU 21-3.
19. (18) Iowa State 18-7.
20. (17) Baylor 18-7.
21. (20) Purdue 20-6.
22. (25) Indiana 20-6.
23. (NR) Wisconsin 16-9.
24. (13) Oregon 20-6.
25. (NR) St. Joseph's 21-4.
Dropped out: Texas A (14), USC (19), Providence (22).
Welcome back. Duke went from unranked to No. 16 this week because of a four-game winning streak that included back-to-back victories against top-15 Louisville and Virginia.
It may look ridiculous to have a nine-loss team in the Top 25, but Wisconsin deserves it. The revitalized Badgers have won seven straight and own four top-50 RPI victories, including Saturday's upset at Maryland.
Notre Dame is another team that took a giant leap. The Irish's three-game winning streak includes victories against North Carolina and Louisville. They now own four top-50 RPI wins.
sryan@tribpub.com
