Coming off a 53-47 come-from-behind win over St. Mary’s, St. John’s (9-1) moved up to No. 17 in the latest AP Poll.
The Johnnies play Long Beach State Monday and Tulane Dec. 28 before a highly anticipated Big East opener against Seton Hall (9-2) on Dec. 31.
Kentucky remained the unanimous No. 1 in the poll for the third straight week, followed by Duke, Arizona, Louisville, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Villanova chimed in at No. 7.
Record Pts Prv1. Kentucky (65) 12-0 1,625 1
2. Duke 10-0 1,548 2
3. Arizona 12-0 1,502 3
4. Louisville 10-0 1,344 4
5. Virginia 11-0 1,336 6
6. Wisconsin 10-1 1,322 5
7. Villanova 11-0 1,214 7
8. Gonzaga 11-1 1,170 8
9. Texas 10-1 1,149 9
10. Kansas 9-1 1,096 10
11. Wichita St. 8-1 966 11
12. Iowa St. 9-1 821 13
13. Washington 10-0 798 16
14. Utah 8-2 796 14
15. Maryland 11-1 678 17
16. Notre Dame 11-1 536 21
17. St. John’s 9-1 517 20
18. West Virginia 10-1 464 22
19. Oklahoma 7-3 436 15
20. North Carolina 8-3 414 24
21. Ohio St. 9-2 411 12
22. Baylor 9-1 203 —
23. N. Iowa 10-1 162 —
24. Colorado St. 11-0 144 —
25. TCU 11-0 120 —
Others receiving votes: Georgetown 857-3, San Diego St. 72, VCU 70, California 32, Miami 27, Arkansas 22, Indiana 11, LSU 7, Old Dominion 7, Florida 4, Penn St. 4, Oklahoma St. 3, Seton Hall 3, Butler 2, Minnesota 2, Davidson 1, Valparaiso 1. PINKSTON NAMED BIG EAST PLAYER OF THE WEEK BIG EAST PLAYER OF THE WEEK JayVaughn Pinkston, Villanova, F, Sr. Pinkston was instrumental in an 82-77 overtime win against Syracuse. He posted game highs of 25 points and 10 rebounds and made three steals. Pinkston led the Wildcats’ second half rally and tied the game with a basket with 4.2 seconds remaining in regulation time. BIG EAST ROOKIE OF THE WEEK Duane Wilson, Marquette, G, Fr. Wilson wins rookie honors for the second time this season after averaging 13.5 points, 4.0 steals and 3.5 rebounds in a 2-0 week. He scored 19 points in a 78-71 victory against Arizona State. Wilson is averaging 12.7 points per game for the season. BIG EAST Honor Roll Toby Hegner, Creighton, F, Fr. Averaged 14.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in a 1-1 week while shooting 50 percent form the field. L.J. Peak, Georgetown, F, Fr. Scored 18 points and hit two free throws with 7.5 seconds left to seal an 81-78 victory over Charlotte. Luke Fischer, Marquette, C, So. Averaged 20.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in wins against Arizona State and Alabama A&M. Kris Dunn, Providence, G, Posted 16 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and five steals in an 85-65 win over Massachusetts. D’Angelo Harrison, St. John’s, G, Sr. Scored a team-high 21 points to help the Red Storm rally to beat Saint Mary’s 53-47.
