Shake-up in bottom of Top 25 as top three hold steady

Kentucky, Maryland and Michigan State held the top three spots in theAssociated Press Top 25, but there were plenty of changes at the bottom of the poll.

The Wildcats (6-0) received 59 first-place votes from the 65-member national media panel Monday to stay No. 1 for a second straight week. Maryland (6-0) remained second with four first-place votes, and Michigan State (7-0) had the other two No. 1 votes.

Kansas and Iowa State switched places at fourth and fifth. They were followed by Oklahoma, Duke, Villanova, North Carolina and Virginia.

No. 14 Syracuse, which beat Connecticut and Texas A&M in winning the Battle 4 Atlantis, was the highest newcomer, with West Virginia at 20th and Providence, Louisville and Baylor filling the final three spots.

Due to a tie for 25th last week, six teams fell from the rankings.Indiana, California, Notre Dame, Connecticut, Wichita State and LSU dropped out.

The Big 12 and ACC are tied for most ranked teams with six each. Both conferences placed three teams each in the top 10.