Despite loss, Michigan basketball stays at No. 20 in AP poll
What does a win over a top-10 opponent and a road loss against an unranked foe get you?
A push, apparently.
After grabbing a one-point home win over Michigan State and suffering a two-point road loss against Arkansas last week, the Michigan basketball team's status in The Associated Press' Top 25 poll remained unchanged Monday.
For the second straight week, the Wolverines come in at No. 20.
Michigan has been ranked no worse than No. 20 this season, and has appeared in the AP's Top 25 poll for 12 straight weeks, the longest streak to open a campaign since the 1996-97 season.
That year, Michigan opened the season at No. 7 and remained in the Top 25 until the final two games of the regular season. The Wolverines finished 24-11, winning the 1997 NIT Championship in the process.
In the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, Michigan fell three spots to No. 22.
Other Big Ten teams in the AP Top 25 this week are: No. 4 Ohio State (17-3), No. 10 Michigan State (16-4), No. 16 Indiana (16-4) and No. 25 Wisconsin (16-5).
The Badgers were unranked a week ago, but move into the poll after knocking off Illinois -- which fell out of the rankings this week.
There is also a new consensus No. 1 team in the country, as Kentucky (19-1) received the top spot in both major polls. Previously unbeaten Syracuse lost to Notre Dame over the weekend.
Other notables in this week's polls are ex-Michigan coach Tommy Amaker's Harvard squad, which comes in just behind the Wolverines at No. 23 in the coaches' poll.
Former Michigan coach Steve Fisher and his San Diego State Aztecs are No. 13 in the AP poll, and No. 12 in the coaches' poll.
Michigan (15-5, 5-2 Big Ten) returns to action Tuesday at Purdue (7 p.m., ESPN).
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
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Comments
Steve
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:14 p.m.
I felt that the slow start was too much to overcome at Arkansas. It was a solid finish, and even a win if Trey had made the 3 pointer. Start faster tonight so you don't have such a hole to dig out of. Go Blue!
aarox
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:32 a.m.
I share your concern. Nick noted that "Michigan has been ranked no worse than No. 20 this season." This means we are at our lowest ranking of the season. With some tough games to come. At least MSU is a guaranteed win.
xmo
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 7:02 p.m.
With four road games and Indiana at home during the next two weeks, Michigan Basketball could be in trouble!