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This week's USA TODAY Coaches Poll features three BIG EAST teams amongst the first 11 in the Top 25.
Going forward, two teams are in the Top 5.
The Villanova Wildcats and Xavier Musketeers trail the North Carolina Tar Heels, Oklahoma Sooners and Maryland Terrapins in the No. 1, 2, and 3 positions in the poll. 'Nova propped up to No. 4 after a victory over the St. John's Red Storm on Sunday afternoon. The Wildcats are 18-3 and remain at the top of the BIG EAST standings at the moment.
Meanwhile, Xavier propped up to No. 5 after a 2-0 week with victories over the Providence Friars and DePaul Blue Demons. Xavier is at 19-2 on the year with their lone conference losses coming to Villanova and the Georgetown Hoyas as well earlier this year.
Rounding out things are the Providence Friars who are ranked No. 11 after going 1-1 with a loss to Xavier and a win over Georgetown in Washington, D.C. Kris Dunn and Ben Bentil, the nation's top 1-2 punch, have led the Friars to an 18-4 record to this point in the season.
Full poll below:
USA Today Coaches Poll
RANK | TEAM | RECORD | POINTS |
---|---|---|---|
1 | North Carolina (18) | 19-2 | 786 |
2 | Oklahoma (14) | 18-2 | 780 |
3 | Maryland | 19-3 | 667 |
4 | Villanova | 18-3 | 657 |
5 | Xavier | 19-2 | 650 |
6 | Kansas | 17-4 | 627 |
7 | Iowa | 17-4 | 618 |
8 | Texas A&M | 18-3 | 594 |
9 | Virginia | 17-4 | 564 |
10 | Michigan St | 19-4 | 517 |
11 | Providence | 18-4 | 464 |
12 | West Virginia | 17-4 | 374 |
13 | Baylor | 17-4 | 366 |
14 | Iowa St. | 16-5 | 321 |
15 | Miami-Florida | 16-4 | 313 |
16 | Purdue | 19-4 | 278 |
17 | Oregon | 18-4 | 239 |
18 | Louisville | 17-4 | 237 |
19 | Kentucky | 16-5 | 223 |
20 | Arizona | 17-5 | 206 |
21 | Indiana | 18-4 | 200 |
22 | Wichita St. | 16-5 | 163 |
23 | South Carolina | 19-2 | 156 |
24 | Dayton | 18-3 | 120 |
25 | St. Mary's | 18-2 | 61 |
Others Receiving Votes: Pittsburgh 42; Duke 27; Utah 21; Michigan 19; Notre Dame 17; Southern California 16; Virginia Commonwealth 16; Gonzaga 13; Butler 8; Monmouth 8; Valparaiso 8; Texas 7; St. Joseph's 5; Florida 4; California 3; Clemson 2; Alabama at Birmingham 1; Seton Hall 1; Washington 1. |