Baylor Strengthens Hold On #1

UNDATED (AP) – Baylor has strengthened its hold on No. 1 in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll.  The Bears received 49 of 65 first-place votes in the latest poll to stay comfortably ahead of Gonzaga and Kansas. The Bears are atop the rankings for a third straight week.  Nos. 1-4 remained unchanged, continuing a stretch of stability in what has been an unpredictable season with a record-tying seven different teams reaching No. 1.  Atlantic Coast Conference leader Louisville climbed a spot to No. 5, followed by Dayton, Duke, Florida State and Maryland – which jumped six spots to No. 9 after beating Iowa last week for its fourth straight win.  Villanova rounded out the top 10. No. 9 Maryland and No. 11 Auburn made the week’s biggest jumps. Each rose six spots. No. 21 Creighton and No. 23 Arizona re-entered the poll. Wichita State and Rutgers fell out.