For the first time in 41 years, Rutgers is ranked in the Associated Press’ Top 25 poll.

The Scarlet Knights (14-4, 5-2) landed at No. 24 in Monday’s Week 12 poll, its first ranking since the end of the 1978-79 season.

“I’m proud of the progress we’ve made as a program and I’m really happy for the guys on our roster,” Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell in a press release. “The ranking is a testament to the hard work and sacrifices our guys have put forth this year. We are enjoying this journey and we are excited to face the many challenges that lie ahead in the best conference in the country."

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Rutgers justified the ranking with its strong resume and unprecedented start to the season.

The Scarlet Knights are coming off its eighth win out of its last nine games after defeating Minnesota, 64-56, at the Rutgers Athletic Center on Sunday. The victory moved the Scarlet Knights into second place in the Big Ten standings alongside Illinois, improved their record in quadrant 1 and 2 games to 5-3, stretched their best home start in program history to 13-0 and pushed them to No. 24 on KenPom and 18th in the NCAA’s NET metric.

“The way we’ve been playing, I think we’ve earned it,” sophomore big Myles Johnson said Sunday when asked about the possibility. “All the hard work is starting to show in our position in the Big Ten. If we keep at it, we’ll have a great season. I think bringing that back to this school and bringing the program up is a huge spark for Jersey. I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

Head coach Steve Pikiell did not have much to say when asked about the potential of the historic ranking on Sunday.

He was more worried about his team’s road matchup to Iowa City on Wednesday to face the Hawkeyes, who slotted in at 19 in Monday’s poll, the latest step in the Scarlet Knights’ journey towards their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 29 years.

It will be the first ranked matchup Rutgers is in since the No. 4 Scarlet Knights faced the No. 5 UCLA Bruins in the 3rd place game of the 1976 NCAA Tournament.

“Nope. No thoughts,” he said on Sunday. “We’re trying to go to Iowa."

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Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @briannnnf. Find NJ.com on Facebook.