Michigan State returns to AP poll at No. 23
Michigan State's run to the Big Ten tournament championship game didn't go unnoticed by Top 25 voters.
Michigan State (23-11), which took Wisconsin to overtime in the conference title game Sunday, returned to the AP Top 25 poll on Monday, checking in at No. 23.
The Spartans were last ranked in the AP poll on Dec. 15, when they were 7-3 and ranked No. 25. Michigan State defeated Ohio State and Maryland last week to earn a spot in the Big Ten title game against Wisconsin, falling 80-69.
Michigan State earned a No. 7 seed in the East region, and opens the NCAA Tournament on Friday against No. 10 seed Georgia.
Michigan State is one of three Big Ten teams in the poll, following No. 3 Wisconsin and No. 12 Maryland.
Kentucky, the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, remains the unanimous No. 1 in the AP poll.
The Associated Press Top 25
Record | Points | Previous | |
1. Kentucky (65) | 34-0 | 1,625 | 1 |
2. Villanova | 32-2 | 1,522 | 4 |
3. Wisconsin | 31-3 | 1,460 | 6 |
4. Duke | 29-4 | 1,406 | 2 |
5. Arizona | 31-3 | 1,405 | 5 |
6. Virginia | 29-3 | 1,333 | 3 |
7. Gonzaga | 32-2 | 1,229 | 7 |
8. Notre Dame | 29-5 | 1,178 | 11 |
9. Iowa State | 25-8 | 1,043 | 13 |
10. Kansas | 26-8 | 995 | 9 |
11. Northern Iowa | 30-3 | 979 | 10 |
12. Maryland | 27-6 | 935 | 8 |
13. Oklahoma | 22-10 | 740 | 15 |
14. Wichita State | 28-4 | 737 | 12 |
15. North Carolina | 24-11 | 703 | 19 |
16. Baylor | 24-9 | 680 | 16 |
17. Louisville | 24-8 | 614 | 14 |
18. SMU | 27-6 | 485 | 20 |
19. Utah | 24-8 | 455 | 17 |
20. West Virginia | 23-9 | 398 | 18 |
21. Arkansas | 26-8 | 373 | 21 |
22. Georgetown | 21-10 | 177 | 23 |
23. Michigan State | 23-11 | 159 | — |
24. Butler | 22-10 | 142 | 22 |
25. VCU | 26-9 | 109 | — |
Others receiving votes: Oregon 91, Providence 62, Xavier 18, Davidson 16, Ohio State 12, Stephen F. Austin 12, Wyoming 6, Boise State 5, LSU 5, BYU 3, Valparaiso 3, Harvard 2, Murray State 2, Wofford 2, Colorado State 1, Dayton 1, Iowa 1, Purdue 1.