COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL POLL

Virginia takes tighter hold on top spot

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Virginia strengthened its hold on No. 1 in the AP Top 25 while Duke jumped back into the top five after a pair of impressive wins.

The Cavaliers earned 42 of 65 first-place votes in the poll released Monday. That’s 12 more than last week, when they reached No. 1 for the first time since the Ralph Sampson era.

The top four remained unchanged, with No. 2 Michigan State earning 19 first-place votes after rallying from 27 down to beat Northwestern. Third-ranked Villanova got the other four first-place votes after winning at No. 4 Xavier.

Fifth-ranked Duke jumped seven spots after beating Virginia Tech and Clemson despite playing without injured top freshman Marvin Bagley III.

Middle Tennessee checked in at 24th, marking its first AP Top 25 appearance in program history.

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL POLL

LSU enters poll for the first time in 4 years

NEW YORK (AP) — LSU is back in the women’s AP Top 25 for the first time in four years while UConn and Mississippi State continue to lead the poll.

The Tigers came back into poll today at No. 24. LSU has won six of its past seven games to move into third in a very competitive SEC. That includes wins over Tennessee, Georgia and Texas A&M, who are all ranked.

While LSU returned to the poll, UConn remains the unanimous No. 1 team. The Huskies (26-0) received all 32 first-place votes from a national media panel. They were followed by Mississippi State, Baylor, Louisville and Notre Dame. The Cardinals lost to UConn by 11 points last Monday night.