IU drops to No. 2 in AP, coaches polls

After the IU men’s basketball team lost to unranked Minnesota last Tuesday in Minneapolis, Minn., the Hoosiers fell to No. 2 in the latest AP and the USA Today coaches polls released this afternoon.

Gonzaga took over the No. 1 spot this week in both polls, taking 51 first place votes in the AP Poll. IU received seven No. 1 votes, taking an obvious hit from the voters, even though the Hoosiers have now clinched a portion of the Big Ten regular season title after their win Saturday against Iowa, along with losses from Wisconsin and Michigan State on Sunday.

After taking over the No. 1 spot for the first time this season, Gonzaga set the mark for the highest ranking from any mid-major school this season.

Duke (five first-place votes), Kansas and Georgetown (two first-place votes) round out the AP top five, respectively.

The top three teams from last week’s poll, including Duke, stayed within the top five, with the Blue Devils maintaining their No. 3 spot. Michigan fell out of the top five this week after falling to previously conference winless Penn State in State College, Pa., although the Wolverines took down Michigan State Sunday.

Miami (FL) also fell out of last week’s top five after a three-point loss to Duke Saturday 79-76.

The Big Ten continues to have five teams in the AP top 25, with Michigan (No. 7), Michigan State (No. 10), Ohio State (No. 14) and Wisconsin (No. 22). Illinois and Minnesota also received votes this week.