Friday, March 29, 2024

Men's basketball moves up one spot in newest AP poll

December 11, 2017
From left to right, redshirt junior forward Kenny Goins (25), freshman forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (2) and redshirt senior forward Gavin Schilling (34) react to a play during the game against Notre Dame on Nov. 30, 2017 at Breslin Center. The Spartans took down the Fighting Irish, 81-63.
From left to right, redshirt junior forward Kenny Goins (25), freshman forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (2) and redshirt senior forward Gavin Schilling (34) react to a play during the game against Notre Dame on Nov. 30, 2017 at Breslin Center. The Spartans took down the Fighting Irish, 81-63. —
Photo by Carly Geraci | The State News

Despite winning eight straight games, including two against ranked opponents, and then-No. 1 Duke losing to unranked Boston College last week, third-ranked MSU didn't take over the top spot in the newest AP poll.

Instead, Villanova leap-frogged the Spartans and moved from No. 4 to No. 1 in the nation, while MSU moved up one spot to No. 2 in the nation. 

The Wildcats received 22 more first place votes than the Spartans, and are undefeated on the season (10-0) with wins over No. 12 Gonzaga and now No. 20 ranked Tennessee. MSU currently has one loss on its resume to the now No. 4 ranked Duke Blue Devils.

MSU has no noteworthy games the rest of December, so unless Villanova falters in the coming weeks, it will be hard for the Spartans to take over the top spot.

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