As expected, reigning NCAA champion Villanova is the new No. 1 team in the land and is one of four Big East Conference teams in the top 16.
The 8-0 Wildcats are coming off an 88-57 win against Saint Joseph’s on Saturday in which Josh Hart posted a triple-double with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
Undefeated UCLA, fresh off its upset of then-No. 1 Kentucky on Saturday at Rupp Arena, is No. 2, followed by No. 3 Kansas.
Unbeaten Baylor is No. 4, followed by Duke and Kentucky.
Along with Villanova, the Big East chimed in with Creighton at No. 10, Xavier at No. 13 and Butler at No. 16.
AP POLL
1-Villanova (8-0)
2. UCLA (9-0)
3. Kansas (7-1)
4. Baylor (8-0)
5. Duke (8-1)
6. Kentucky (7-1)
7. North Carolina (8-1)
8. Gonzaga (8-0)
9. Indiana (7-1)
10. Creighton (8-0)
11. Louisville (7-1)
12. St. Mary’s (6-0)
13. Xavier (7-1)
14. Virginia (7-1)
15. West Virginia (6-1)
16. Butler (8-0)
17. Wisconsin (7-2)
18. Purdue (6-2)
19. South Carolina (8-0)
20. Arizona (6-2)
21. Florida (7-1)
22. Cincinnati (7-1)
23. Notre Dame (8-0)
24. Oregon (7-2)
25 Iowa State (5-2)
Others receiving votes: Syracuse 45, Southern Cal 43, Ohio St. 40, TCU 33, Florida St. 18, Virginia Tech 11, California 10, Maryland 9, Valparaiso 7, Wichita St. 5, Temple 3, Michigan St. 3, Minnesota 1, IPFW 1, UNC Wilmington 1
