UNI Moves Up, Iowa State Falls In National Rankings

UNI survived a pair of close games during the past week and has been rewarded with its highest-ranking ever in the Associated Press (AP) men's basketball poll, while an upset loss cost Iowa State a spot in the top 10.

The Panthers moved up two spots in the latest survey, which was released today (Monday, January 26, 2015). UNI (18-2, 7-1 MVC) jumped from No. 20 last week to No. 18 this week following Wednesday night's 66-60 win over Indiana State at home and Sunday afternoon's 54-53 victory at Illinois State.

This week, UNI plays at Southern Illinois Wednesday night before hosting No. 12 Wichita State in a historic match-up at the McLeod Center Saturday afternoon. When the Panthers host the Shockers at 3 p.m. on ESPN2, it will mark the first time since 1982 that two Missouri Valley Conference teams ranked in the AP top-25 will play each other.

Iowa State dropped six spots in this week's poll following Saturday's 78-73 setback at Texas Tech. The Cyclones (14-4, 4-2 Big 12) fell from No. 9 to No. 15 just hours before their Monday night showdown with Big 12 Conference rival Texas.

The top 25 teams in The Associated Press' college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Jan. 25, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and last week's ranking:

Others receiving votes: Colorado State 57, Arkansas 54, Ohio State 43, SMU 43, Providence 29, Dayton 28, Georgia 28, Stanford 16, Wyoming 14, LSU 10, Seton Hall 10, San Diego State 4, Texas A&M 2, Tulsa 2, Davidson 1, Green Bay 1, Saint Mary's (Cal) 1, Stephen F. Austin 1.