Xavier, UC together in AP top 5 for first time ever

The Xavier Musketeers (23-3, 11-2 in the Big East) and Cincinnati Bearcats (23-2, 12-0 in the AAC) are together in the top 5 of the AP college basketball poll for the first time ever, with XU moving up to No. 4 - and receiving five first-place votes - and UC checking in at No. 5.

Xavier's No. 4 ranking is its best in the poll in school history. UC's ranking is its highest in the AP poll since the Bearcats were No. 5 in the final poll of 2001-02 season.

(The Enquirer's Tom Groeschen notes that the 2001-02 season was Steve Logan's senior year. The season ended with an NCAA second-round loss to UCLA, and a final record of 31-4.)

It's the fourth consecutive week in the top 10 for both teams. Last week, Xavier was No. 5 - matching its best ever - and UC was No. 6.

Three weeks ago, the teams appeared among the top 10 teams in the poll for the first time since 1958.

Joining Xavier and UC in the top 5 are No. 1 Virginia, No. 2 Michigan State and No. 3 Villanova. Purdue, led by Vincent Edwards of Middletown High School, ranks No. 6.

The Ohio State Buckeyes (22-5, 13-1 in the Big Ten) moved up from No. 14 to No. 8.

West Virginia (18-7, 7-5 in the Big 12), led by former UC head coach Bob Huggins, dropped from No. 19 to No. 20 in the poll.

The only AAC team other than UC, Wichita State (19-5, 9-3 in the AAC), ranks No. 19.

Kentucky (17-8, 6-6 in the SEC) dropped back out of the Top 25. The Wildcats ranked No. 24 one week ago.

Northern Kentucky University (19-7, 12-2 in the Horizon), which has won five games in a row and moved into first place in the Horizon League, did not receive any votes in the AP poll.

In the new USA TODAY Sports men's basketball coaches poll, Xavier also comes in at No. 4 and UC at No. 5, with Michigan State, Villanova and Virginia above them.

Ohio State is No. 9, Wichita State is No. 18, WVU is No. 20 and Creighton is No. 25.

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