Gonzaga returns to No. 1 spot in AP Top 25

Gonzaga reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the Associated Press poll announced Monday, replacing Duke, which fell to No. 3 following Wednesday’s home loss to North Carolina.

The Bulldogs, who last occupied the top position for two weeks beginning in late November, captured 44 first-place votes. No. 2 Virginia received 15, Duke had three and No. 4. Kentucky garnered the remaining two.

North Carolina jumped three spots to No. 5 after the 88-72 road win over the Blue Devils.

The bottom half of the Top 10 also was shuffled this week.

Michigan State, on the strength of a road win over Michigan, jumped four spots to No. 6. One-time No. 1 Tennessee, which lost to LSU on Saturday, fell two places to No. 7.

Houston climbed one spot to No. 8, Michigan fell two places to No. 9 and Marquette re-entered the Top 10.

Dropping out of the Top 25 were Louisville, Villanova and Iowa State and moving in were Cincinnati, Wofford and Washington, occupying the Nos. 23-25 spots, respectively. The Huskies became the first Pac-12 team to appear in the poll since Dec. 24, when Arizona State occupied the No. 17 spot.

Big risers this week were Kansas State (No. 16) and Maryland (No. 17), each up seven spots, while Nevada plummeted six places to No. 12 due to a loss to San Diego State.

–Field Level Media