Riding an 11-game winning streak, Dayton (12-1) comes in at No. 17 after climbing three spots, while Rhode Island moves up one place to No. 22 after completing the most successful non-conference regular season (14-1) in program annals. Xavier (12-3) returns to the rankings at No. 24 after posting wins over Kansas State (103-77), Virginia (107-80) and Auburn (80-57) on the week. Massachusetts (11-3) is also receiving votes for top 25 consideration.
The last time three A-10 teams cracked the Associated Press top 25 was in the Mar. 10-16, 2003, poll as Xavier came in at No. 10, Dayton was ranked 22nd and Saint Joseph's 25th.
Conference play commences on Wednesday, Jan. 9, as Xavier hosts St. Bonaventure (7:00pm), while Rhode Island visits Dayton (7:00pm), which will be aired live on College Sports Television, Cox (R.I.) and WHIO-TV (Dayton). The contest will mark the first time in league history that two ranked teams will meet in their respective Conference opener. The last two ranked A-10 teams met during the regular season was on Feb. 22, 2003, when No. 14 (AP) Xavier edged No. 25 (AP) Dayton, 73-72. The last time a pair of ranked A-10 teams met was on Mar. 14, 2003, in the semifinals of the 2003 A-10 Championship as No. 22 (AP) Dayton edged No. 22 (AP) Saint Joseph's, 76-73.
The ESPN/USA Today poll was also released on Monday, with Rhode Island climbing to No. 20, Dayton coming in at No. 22 and Xavier 25th.
Links:
- This week's polls
- Note: UMass also received votes in the AP poll, five, for #34. Drake got 22 = no. 31.
- Frank Burlison's Monday Review
The three teams are also ranked by Scout.com's expert. URI at 16, Dayton 20 and Xavier 21. XU's Drew Lavender is one of five players of the week. Frank also highlights the Atlantic 10 matchup between URI and the Flyers with "Two of the best national unknowns." CSTV national coverage along with local coverage for the competitors.