Northern Iowa makes Top 25 debut; Michigan returns

Northern Iowa is ranked in the Associated Press' Top 25 for the first time. Michigan is back in for the first time in almost a decade.

The Panthers and Wolverines were among four teams new to the poll Monday, but their waits were a lot longer than Iowa and LSU, which were both ranked earlier this season.

The top of the poll stayed the same with Connecticut, Duke and Memphis in the first three spots, but then came a number of changes after a week that saw 12 ranked teams lose at least one game.

"I'm excited for our players. This is the first time our school has ever been ranked and for this particular group to be one that cracks the Top 25 is very special," Northern Iowa coach Greg McDermott said. "I'm sure in a lot of our fans' minds they think something like this has never been possible. I want them to enjoy it while it lasts and we'll do what we can to stay there but we're in a very tough league."

Northern Iowa (19-3), ranked 25th this week, has been in the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons. Last year the Panthers were one of three teams from the Missouri Valley Conference to make it, along with Creighton and Southern Illinois. The Missouri Valley is ranked sixth among conferences in the most recent public RPIs.

Northern Iowa coach Greg McDermott wants Panthers fans to enjoy the ranking while it lasts. (Getty Images)

"The success of our league from the start of the season to now should have been enough for people to take notice of just how good the Missouri Valley is," said McDermott, whose team has won five straight and nine of 10, "but if us being ranked does that, that's great."

Michigan (15-3) moved in at No. 21, the Wolverines' first appearance in the Top 25 since the final poll of the 1997-98 season, which was also the last time they were in the NCAA Tournament.

"I think for the road we've traveled this is a significant achievement for our kids," Michigan coach Tommy Amaker said. "The way we've been able to get to this moment has been to stay focused and take things as they come. Hopefully they will feel honored and deserving and keep it in perspective."

The Wolverines have won four straight, the past two over Michigan State and Wisconsin. The only losses have been to UCLA, Indiana and Illinois.

Michigan and Iowa give the Big Ten six teams in the Top 25, the most among the conferences.

"It's a very tough league and the way our teams have played all year and now with everyone beating each other in conference play it will only stay that way," Amaker said. "This league has shown its mettle over the long haul."

Connecticut (18-1), which beat St. John's and Providence in its first week as the No. 1 team, received 65 first-place votes and 1,793 points from the national media panel. Duke (19-1) beat Virginia Tech and Virginia and remained second with the other seven first-place votes and 1,727 points. Memphis (19-2) stayed third after wins over UAB and Central Florida.

Villanova, Gonzaga and Illinois each jumped two spots to fourth through sixth, respectively.