Arizona drops one spot in AP poll, two in coaches
After eight consecutive weeks atop both major polls, Arizona dropped as many as two spots in the rankings released Monday.
The Wildcats, who started the season 21-0 before losing a 60-58 decision Saturday at California, were slotted at No. 2 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll and No. 3 in the coaches' poll. UA played most of the contest without starting power forward Brandon Ashley, who left early in the first half and will be sidelined for the remainder of the season with a right foot injury.
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Syracuse (21-0) and Wichita State (23-0) are now the last two undefeated teams remaining in college basketball.
The Orange, as expected, took over the title as No. 1 in the country after spending all previous eight weeks behind the Wildcats in the AP poll. The 65-member national media panel made Jim Boeheim's team the first unanimous No. 1 since Duke in 2010-11.
Syracuse was No. 2 in the coaches' poll in each of the last seven weeks before moving up.
The rest of the AP's top five remained intact, as Florida, Wichita State and San Diego State round out the order.
But the Shockers won over the coaches, leapfrogging the Wildcats for No. 2, while the Gators and Aztecs, in order, completed the top five.
1" align="left" />Click Here to view this Link.Tracy McDannald
GOAZCATS.com Senior Editor