Get ready for another 1 vs. 2 showdown in the Big Ten -- this time on the hardwood.
Wisconsin was the new No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll on Monday and Big Ten rival Ohio State was not far behind at No. 2.
The Badgers (26-2, 12-1), on top of the poll for the first time in school history, play the Buckeyes (24-3, 12-1) in Columbus on Sunday -- just a bit more than three months after Ohio State and Michigan played a much-hyped 1 vs. 2 football game at Ohio Stadium.
Florida's 83-70 loss at Vanderbilt on Saturday snapped the Gators' 17-game winning streak and dropped them from the top spot in the media poll for the second time this season.
Wisconsin, which was No. 3 last week, leapfrogged second-ranked Ohio State to become the fourth No. 1 team this season, and 52nd different school to hold the top spot in the history of the AP poll.
For the Badgers and coach Bo Ryan, there's not much time to celebrate their new lofty status, not with a game at Michigan State on Tuesday.
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| Bo Ryan's Wisconsin team has already set a school record for victories. (AP) |
"I ran around with the foam finger, blowing the horn and throwing the confetti for about a minute," Ryan said with a laugh. "Then I went back into my office and watched the DVD of a very good Iowa team losing by 30 to Michigan State."
The Badgers received 35 first-place votes and 1,747 points. Ohio State got 31 first-place votes and 1,728 points. No. 3 Florida received four first-place votes and No. 4 UCLA got two.
"I'm really happy for the players and the university," Ryan said. "It says something about the work that's been put in, not just this year but over the years. That's the reward.
"It does make a great statement for the program."
Ohio State has a much easier test before facing Wisconsin, a home game against last-place Penn State on Wednesday.
"Our focus right now is to continue to improve as a team and prepare for our game with Penn State," Buckeyes coach Thad Matta said.
