February 18, 2013

Tracy McDannald
GOAZCATS.com Senior Editor

Even with the help of losses by three of the four schools directly below in the polls, Arizona's own stumbles forced a fall from the top 10.

The Wildcats, who dropped from No. 9 to 12 in both polls, are now out of the top 10 for the first time since opening the season at No. 11 in the coaches' poll and 12th in the Associated Press rankings. The fall snapped a streak of 13 consecutive weeks in the top 10.

UA started the week with a Valentine's Day loss at Colorado, dealing head coach Sean Miller's team back-to-back losses for the first time all season. Arizona followed it up with a victory at Utah, but the 'Cats squandered a 13-point, second-half lead before putting away the lowly Utes.

In last week's poll, Kansas State (10th), Butler (11th) and Ohio State (13th) were all behind Arizona in the AP poll. Each lost a game this past week, and the beneficiaries were Kansas, Louisville and Georgetown.

The Jayhawks moved five spots to ninth, the Cardinals went from 12th to 10th and the Hoyas jumped from 15th to 11th.

Indiana remained the top-ranked team in the country, followed in order by Miami, Gonzaga, Michigan State and Florida.

The Wildcats will return to McKale Center Wednesday for a 9 p.m. MST contest against Washington.

Tracy McDannald
GOAZCATS.com Senior Editor

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