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Kansas stays No. 1 in AP Top 25 basketball poll, Gonzaga, Auburn crack top 5, St. John's returns
Read full article: Kansas stays No. 1 in AP Top 25 basketball poll, Gonzaga, Auburn crack top 5, St. John's returnsKansas remained atop the first Associated Press men’s college basketball poll of the regular season after winning a matchup of basketball bluebloods.
In March Madness, Gonzaga plays near-perfect 2nd half to dispatch Kansas 89-68
Read full article: In March Madness, Gonzaga plays near-perfect 2nd half to dispatch Kansas 89-68Gonzaga played a nearly perfect second half, busting open a back-and-forth game with a 15-0 run to pull away from Kansas for an 89-68 win and extend its nation-best streak of trips to the Sweet 16 to nine.
Monson's boss says timing of ouster at Long Beach State was designed to inspire March Madness run
Read full article: Monson's boss says timing of ouster at Long Beach State was designed to inspire March Madness runLong Beach State’s athletic director says the timing of his decision to part ways with coach Dan Monson was done with the hope it might trigger the exact run that led the team on its unexpected trip to March Madness.
Antelope Valley was the college basketball team without a college. Its season has come to an end
Read full article: Antelope Valley was the college basketball team without a college. Its season has come to an endThe Antelope Valley men's basketball team is done after one of the stranger seasons in recent memory.
James, Embiid, Curry and Durant are in the US player pool for the Paris Olympics
Read full article: James, Embiid, Curry and Durant are in the US player pool for the Paris OlympicsThere are few surprises in USA Basketball’s men’s player pool for the Paris Olympics that was announced Tuesday, with most of the big names like LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant on the list.
The 3-point shot has added volatility, variety at the top of the AP Top 25 college basketball poll
Read full article: The 3-point shot has added volatility, variety at the top of the AP Top 25 college basketball pollThe arrival of the 3-point shot created more volatility at the top for The Associated Press men's college basketball poll.
Purdue remains No. 1 in AP Top 25, Gonzaga falls to No. 24 but runs poll streak to 142 weeks
Read full article: Purdue remains No. 1 in AP Top 25, Gonzaga falls to No. 24 but runs poll streak to 142 weeksPurdue remained atop the AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll for the third straight week while Gonzaga dropped to No. 24 after a loss to San Diego State but managed to keep alive its streak of 142 consecutive weeks in the poll.
Gonzaga's brutal slate continues with No. 6 Baylor up next
Read full article: Gonzaga's brutal slate continues with No. 6 Baylor up nextGonzaga has already faced a brutal schedule this season with wins over No. 19 Kentucky and No. 20 Michigan State and losses to second-ranked Texas and fifth-ranked Purdue.
Notae, Arkansas muscle top overall seed Gonzaga out of NCAAs
Read full article: Notae, Arkansas muscle top overall seed Gonzaga out of NCAAsJD Notae scored 21 points despite missing 20 shots and fourth-seeded Arkansas made Gonzaga miserable on both ends of the floor, bouncing the top overall seed from the NCAA Tournament with a 74-68 win.
No. 1 Gonzaga comes alive late to race past Georgia St 93-72
Read full article: No. 1 Gonzaga comes alive late to race past Georgia St 93-72Drew Timme scored 22 of his 32 points in the second half and top overall seed Gonzaga struggled to shake No. 16 seed Georgia State for 30 minutes before pulling away late for a 93-72 win in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
No. 1 Gonzaga wins 10th straight WCC regular-season title
Read full article: No. 1 Gonzaga wins 10th straight WCC regular-season titleDrew Timme had 23 points and nine rebounds, Andrew Nembhard added 21 points, and top-ranked Gonzaga beat Santa Clara 81-69 to win its 10th straight West Coast Conference regular-season title.
No. 16 Alabama takes down No. 3 Gonzaga 91-82
Read full article: No. 16 Alabama takes down No. 3 Gonzaga 91-82Jaden Shackelford scored 20 of his 28 points in the first half, Jahvon Quinerly and JD Davison both hit key 3-pointers later, and No. 16 Alabama held off Gonzaga’s big second-half rally for a 91-82 win over the third-ranked Bulldogs.
No. 1 Gonzaga turns showdown with No. 2 UCLA into 83-63 rout
Read full article: No. 1 Gonzaga turns showdown with No. 2 UCLA into 83-63 routAndrew Nembhard scored 24 points, freshman Chet Holmgren showed off his unique skill set and top-ranked Gonzaga overwhelmed No. 2 UCLA 83-63 to win the Empire Classic.
Gonzaga, UCLA hold down top poll spots ahead of showdown
Read full article: Gonzaga, UCLA hold down top poll spots ahead of showdownGonzaga and UCLA continue their hold on the top two spots in The Associated Press Top 25 college basketball poll, setting the stage for their highly anticipated showdown this week.
Gonzaga coach Mark Few pleads guilty to DUI, fined $1,000
Read full article: Gonzaga coach Mark Few pleads guilty to DUI, fined $1,000Gonzaga basketball coach Mark Few has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor driving under the influence in Idaho and must pay a fine of $1,000 in lieu of spending four days in jail.
Gonzaga coach Few smelled of alcohol prior to DUI arrest
Read full article: Gonzaga coach Few smelled of alcohol prior to DUI arrestNewly released legal documents say Gonzaga basketball coach Mark Few’s breath smelled of alcohol and he had bloodshot eyes on the night he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, though he initially told a police officer he had not been drinking.
Final Four set, a question left: Can anybody beat Gonzaga?
Read full article: Final Four set, a question left: Can anybody beat Gonzaga?(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)It’s not easy to bury a team as good as USC, let alone in a half, no matter how easy Gonzaga made it look. He asked Few the day before their game against the high-flying Trojans whether his defense was getting lost in the shuffle. “Obviously, I think he’s the best defender in the country,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. Then Baylor’s bout with the virus came late in the season, requiring a pause of three weeks plus. After everything else fans weathered throughout this wacky season, a few more days might finally deliver a national championship game worth the wait.
Gonzaga's bid for a perfect season moves on to Final Four
Read full article: Gonzaga's bid for a perfect season moves on to Final FourGonzaga (30-0) has been an offensive juggernaut rarely seen in college basketball. Ad“Everyone wants us to keep moving forward, but that’s not how we roll,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. That doesn’t lessen our desire to win this game, the next game or win two more games.”The next one won't be easy. The Bears were embroiled in one of the darkest scandals in college basketball history, when Patrick Dennehy was murdered by teammate Carlton Dotson in 2003. They played in the Final Four.”___More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/College-basketball and http://www.twitter.com/AP_Top25
Quite a show: Zags stay undefeated with 85-66 win over USC
Read full article: Quite a show: Zags stay undefeated with 85-66 win over USCOn Saturday in the national semifinals, the Zags will face 11th-seeded UCLA, which beat Michigan 51-49 in a later Elite Eight game. All-American Corey Kispert had 18 points and eight boards on an “off” night — only 6 for 19 from the floor. “We just tried to stay moving,” Suggs said about attacking the USC zone, which had been shutting down teams all month in Indy. “It was a little surprising," USC coach Andy Enfield said, “because we'd been playing great basketball.”The Zags have a way about doing that to people. ALL-WEST TEAMThe All-region team included both Mobley brothers, Suggs, Kispert and Timme, who was named the West's most outstanding player.
Unbeaten Zags keep rolling with 83-65 rout of Creighton
Read full article: Unbeaten Zags keep rolling with 83-65 rout of CreightonNembhard had 17 points and eight assists, both season highs, to keep the NCAA Tournament's top overall seed rolling Sunday with a 83-65 rout of fifth-seeded Creighton in the West Region semifinals. Defensively, the Zags held Creighton to 40 points over the final 30 minutes as they methodically turned a 27-25 game into a blowout. “They just play so fast, so efficient with everything they do," said Marcus Zegarowski, who led Creighton with 19 points. That just about finished off Creighton as the Zags moved within three wins of becoming the first undefeated national champion since Indiana in 1976. Gonzaga: The Zags have won their first three tournament games by a combined 77 points.
Oklahoma can't hang with Timme, Gonzaga; top seed advances
Read full article: Oklahoma can't hang with Timme, Gonzaga; top seed advancesGonzaga forward Drew Timme (2) celebrates with teammate Corey Kispert (24) after defeating Oklahoma in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Monday, March 22, 2021. Drew Timme scored a career-high 30 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, and the top-seeded Bulldogs beat No. “Thought we got a little better feel for the pace of things in the second half,” Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger said. SECOND WEEKENDThe last time Gonzaga was eliminated before the tournament's second weekend was in 2015, when the Bulldogs were a No. Oklahoma failed to reach the second week for the third straight tournament appearance since reaching the Final Four in 2016.
Kispert, Gonzaga roll past Norfolk State 98-55 in NCAAs
Read full article: Kispert, Gonzaga roll past Norfolk State 98-55 in NCAAs1 overall seed Gonzaga rolled in its NCAA Tournament opener, beating Norfolk State 98-55 on Saturday night. 1 seed in tournament history. “We just want to win this tournament,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said of the pursuit of finishing unbeaten. Obviously if we win the tournament we end up undefeated, but I've never heard any of the guys talk about it. The program has a notable tournament upset in its history: a win as a 15 seed against No.
Gonzaga, Baylor dominate AP All-America teams
Read full article: Gonzaga, Baylor dominate AP All-America teams(AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)Gonzaga and Baylor spent almost the entire season holding down the top two spots in the Top 25. Makes sense they'd hold down a bunch of spots on The Associated Press All-America teams. The Bulldogs' Corey Kispert and the Bears' Jared Butler led the way with first-team nods Tuesday from the national panel of 63 media members that vote each week in the AP Top 25 poll. Just like the first- and second-team All-Americans, their teams also will be playing in the NCAA Tournament this week. ___AP Basketball Writer John Marshall and AP Sports Writers Michael Marot and Stephen Hawkins contributed to this report.
Gonzaga completes season-long run at No. 1 in AP Top 25
Read full article: Gonzaga completes season-long run at No. 1 in AP Top 25Gonzaga players celebrate after defeating BYU in an NCAA college basketball game for the West Coast Conference men's tournament championship Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)Gonzaga has completed a start-to-finish run atop The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, will try to become the first unbeaten national champion since Indiana in 1976. 1 seeds for the NCAA Tournament. ___More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/College-basketball and http://www.twitter.com/AP_Top25___Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardap
Picking the bracket: The Big Ten will feel right at home
Read full article: Picking the bracket: The Big Ten will feel right at homeSecond round winners: Michigan, Florida State, Texas, Alabama. On to the upsets ...First round winners: Baylor, North Carolina, Winthrop, Purdue, Texas Tech, Colgate, Virginia Tech, Ohio State. AdFirst round winners: Gonzaga, Missouri, UCSB, Virginia, USC, Kansas, VCU, Iowa. Second round winners: Gonzaga, Virginia, USC, Iowa. The Big Ten tournament gets replaced by a Final Four in the heart of Big Ten country.
No. 1 Gonzaga rallies to beat BYU 88-78 in WCC title game
Read full article: No. 1 Gonzaga rallies to beat BYU 88-78 in WCC title gameThe NCAA Tournament is next. Kispert hit three early 3-pointers and scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half. Ad“Gonzaga responded in the second half,” said BYU guard Alex Borcello, who had 15 points. KNELL'S NIGHTKnell entered the title game averaging 5.8 points per game, but got some open looks against Gonzaga's pressure. It’s a heck of an accomplishment.”UP NEXTBYU should be a lock to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015.
The Latest: COVID forces postponement of San Jose-Vegas game
Read full article: The Latest: COVID forces postponement of San Jose-Vegas gameMinnesota Wild center Nick Bonino (13) skates down the ice against San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic (44) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___San Jose’s game against Vegas scheduled for Thursday night has been postponed after a Sharks player entered the NHL’s COVID protocol. It’s the 36th NHL game this season to be postponed for virus-related issues and 40th counting the Texas snowstorm that affected Dallas. ___The NHL is down to a season-low eight players on the COVID-19 list after play on Tuesday night, five of them on the Philadelphia Flyers. That’s a marked improvement in the 11 days since the league had a season-high 59 players on the list.
Gonzaga, Baylor sit atop AP Top 25; Kansas returns at No. 23
Read full article: Gonzaga, Baylor sit atop AP Top 25; Kansas returns at No. 232 Baylor remained atop Monday's latest AP Top 25, where they have been for all 13 polls this season. 8 in the AP poll to pull closer to the committee's seeding of seventh overall shortly before the Crimson Tide scored 115 points in a win over against Georgia. THE TOP TIERCoach Mark Few’s Bulldogs received 59 of 64 first-place votes in the new AP Top 25, while Scott Drew’s Bears claimed the other five. The Jayhawks fell out of last week’s poll for the first time in 12 years. Kansas was one of three new additions to this week’s poll, joined by No.
Gonzaga, Baylor top NCAA committee's initial rankings
Read full article: Gonzaga, Baylor top NCAA committee's initial rankings(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)Gonzaga, Baylor, Michigan and Ohio State are the top seeds in the initial rankings for the committee that will ultimately select the field of 68 for the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs were the top overall seed, followed by the Bears in rankings released Saturday by the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee. It's a snapshot of the top 16 seeds with a month to go before Selection Sunday. Gonzaga and Baylor have been 1-2 in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll all season and remain unbeaten. 1 seed, followed by the fourth-ranked Buckeyes.
Kansas' record Top 25 run over; Michigan jumps to No. 3
Read full article: Kansas' record Top 25 run over; Michigan jumps to No. 3Michigan took advantage of Villanova's loss at St. John's to jump into the top three, Ohio State climbed three spots to No. The Jayhawks began their Top 25 streak on Feb. 2, 2009, when freshman guard Bryce Thompson was 6 years old. “We have plenty of games to go win and I know this team can do it,” Kansas guard Christian Braun said. 15, followed by Tennessee, Florida State, Virginia Tech, Creighton and Southern California. The Bruins dropped out, along with Kansas, Florida and Drake, whose 18-0 start was spoiled in a 74-57 loss to Valparaiso.
St. John's shuts down No. 3 Villanova in 70-59 upset
Read full article: St. John's shuts down No. 3 Villanova in 70-59 upsetAlexander scored 16 points and St. John's smothered No. The latest victory gave St. John's its first four-game Big East winning streak since the 2014-15 NCAA Tournament team. '”AdVillanova was the first top-5 opponent to play in the Queens gym since St. John's lost 72-71 to No. If we can get a Big East game, we’ve got to play the Big East game. St. John's: Saturday at Providence, which has won nine of the past 11 meetings.
Gonzaga, Baylor remain atop AP Top 25; Alabama cracks top 10
Read full article: Gonzaga, Baylor remain atop AP Top 25; Alabama cracks top 10Alabama has won nine straight games, with several wins marked by hot shooting and blowout margins. They have scored at least 81 points in six straight games, including an 85-65 win at Kentucky and a 90-59 win against Arkansas. But they've won four straight games — three by double-digit margins — since returning and re-entered the poll Monday at No. CONFERENCE WATCHThe Big Ten and Big 12 lead the way among the conferences. Both have a national-best six ranked teams, though the Big 12 has five in the top 15 (Baylor, Texas, Texas Tech, No.
No. 1 Gonzaga overcomes slow start, beats Saint Mary's 73-59
Read full article: No. 1 Gonzaga overcomes slow start, beats Saint Mary's 73-591 Gonzaga overcame a slow start with a surge to end the first half, pulling away late to beat rival Saint Mary's 73-59 on Saturday night for its 18th straight victory spanning the past two seasons. Joel Ayayi scored 16 points for the Bulldogs (14-0, 5-0 West Coast Conference). Saint Mary's pulled to 56-48 on Dan Fotu's layup with 9:01 to play before another decisive Gonzaga burst, this time 8-0. Saint Mary's: F Kyle Bowen fouled out with 4:01 left. Saint Mary’s: At Loyola Marymount on Thursday.
Gonzaga-Baylor remain 1-2 in AP Top 25; Texas rises to No. 4
Read full article: Gonzaga-Baylor remain 1-2 in AP Top 25; Texas rises to No. 4The top-ranked Zags and second-ranked Bears remained 1-2 in Monday's latest Top 25 as they have all season. 25 Florida State had the week's biggest tumble, falling seven spots after losing at Clemson and then having its game against No. 6 Kansas fell three spots after the Texas loss, bringing the total of teams that fell from last week's rankings to 11. CONFERENCE WATCHThe Big Ten continues to have the biggest haul of ranked teams, though the Big 12 has a strong showing in the poll's top tier. But the Big 12 has three of the top six teams in Baylor, Texas and Kansas, and five teams overall.
Big Ten grind highlights marquee matchups of ranked teams
Read full article: Big Ten grind highlights marquee matchups of ranked teams17 Michigan State — sets the stage for what could be an epic start to the new year in the improbably deep Big Ten. 15 Illinois and Michigan State visits the Cornhuskers. The weekend wraps up Sunday with Wisconsin visiting Penn State, Northwestern heading to Michigan and Ohio State traveling to Minnesota in a pair of matchups involving ranked teams. The Hokies already have wins over teams that were ranked in Villanova and Clemson. BIG 12 BATTLESThe Big Ten has the most teams in the Top 25 but the Big 12 may have the best — the league has five teams ranked in the top 13.
Gonzaga, Big Ten continue to dominate Top 25; Wisconsin 6th
Read full article: Gonzaga, Big Ten continue to dominate Top 25; Wisconsin 6th(AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)It's hard to decide who has been more dominant in men's college basketball this season: Gonzaga or the Big Ten Conference. The sixth-ranked Badgers began a run of Top 25 teams from the league, jumping three spots after wins over Nebraska and then-No. 12 Michigan State. The Hawkeyes dropped from fourth to 10th while surprising Rutgers began a run of four more Big Ten teams at No. Minnesota, whose lone loss came to Illinois and which was last ranked on Dec. 4, 2017, plays its next six against Top 25 teams: Michigan State, at Wisconsin, Ohio State, at Michigan, at Iowa and the Wolverines at home.
No. 1 Gonzaga faces stiff test against No. 16 Virginia
Read full article: No. 1 Gonzaga faces stiff test against No. 16 VirginiaGonzaga has played one close game, a five-point win over West Virginia, and is winning by nearly 18 points per game. The Hawkeyes dropped a spot in this week's AP Top 25 after losing by 11 to Gonzaga. 19 Michigan, which moved up six spots in this week's poll, faces Nebraska. RANKED VS. RANKED: Two games on Wednesday feature ranked teams facing each other. 13 Creighton (6-2), which dropped four spots in this week's poll after losing to Marquette.
Gonzaga strengthens grip on No. 1 spot in AP poll
Read full article: Gonzaga strengthens grip on No. 1 spot in AP poll1 spot in The Associated Press college basketball poll released on Monday, earning 61 of 64 first-place votes from a media panel after knocking off then-No. Gonzaga had to shut down after that and missed four home games before returning to the court last week. It was Northwestern’s first win over a top-five team in the AP poll since an 83-65 victory over Magic Johnson and then-No. Virginia Tech dropped out of the poll last week following a loss to Penn State. MOVING OUTSan Diego State dropped out from No.
Top-ranked Gonzaga returns to practice as No. 3 Iowa awaits
Read full article: Top-ranked Gonzaga returns to practice as No. 3 Iowa awaitsThe Bulldogs finally got back on the court to practice this week following a two-week break due to COVID-19 cases within the program. It looked like the first practice of the year to the Gonzaga head coach. The matchup with Baylor was going to be the showcase event for the early portion of the college basketball schedule. The first full squad practice for Gonzaga since the day before the Baylor game was scheduled for Thursday. Their whole lives are about playing basketball.”While facing the Hawkeyes is a marquee opportunity for Gonzaga, there is still hope of facing Baylor.
Gonzaga, Baylor remain atop AP Top 25; Missouri, Clemson in
Read full article: Gonzaga, Baylor remain atop AP Top 25; Missouri, Clemson inGonzaga coach Mark Few talks with the team during a timeout in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against West Virginia, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)Gonzaga and Baylor sit atop an unchanged top tier of The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll, while West Virginia and Tennessee have cracked the top 10. Houston, Villanova, West Virginia, Creighton and Tennessee rounded out the top 10. 13 Illini dropped seven spots, while the No. ___More AP college basketball: http://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and http://www.twitter.com/AP_Top25___Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardap
Gonzaga, Baylor remain atop AP Top 25 after game scrapped
Read full article: Gonzaga, Baylor remain atop AP Top 25 after game scrappedWest Virginia and Gonzaga play during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, in Indianapolis. Gonzaga was scheduled to play Baylor but the game was cancelled due to COVID. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)Gonzaga and Baylor remained atop the AP Top 25 men's basketball poll Monday after their hotly anticipated weekend game in Indianapolis was called off about 90 minutes before tipoff because of positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing within the Bulldogs' program. Wisconsin was tied with the Longhorns, followed by Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Texas Tech, Virginia, Richmond and Florida State. The final five were Rutgers, Ohio State, Arizona State, San Diego State and Louisville.
No. 1 Gonzaga vs No. 2 Baylor called off over virus tests
Read full article: No. 1 Gonzaga vs No. 2 Baylor called off over virus testsGonzaga was scheduled to play Baylor but the game was cancelled due to COVID. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)INDIANAPOLIS – Coaches Mark Few of Gonzaga and Scott Drew of Baylor scheduled Saturday's game for all the right seasons. "They (the Bears) are good, really, really good. Just really, really good." And whenever they do play, Drew knows one thing — people will be watching.
No. 1 Gonzaga rallies to beat No. 11 West Virginia 87-82
Read full article: No. 1 Gonzaga rallies to beat No. 11 West Virginia 87-8211 West Virginia 87-82. Gonzaga (3-0) has won seven straight, dating to the end of last season, and already has two wins over top 15 opponents — Kansas and West Virginia (3-1). When Suggs returned in the second half, Gonzaga charged back. The Bulldogs have opened this season with wins over two top 15 foes — Kansas and West Virginia — as well as Auburn, all on neutral courts. West Virginia guard Sean McNeil also left during the first half after taking an elbow to the forehead.
No. 1 Zags: Gonzaga begins season atop Top 25 for first time
Read full article: No. 1 Zags: Gonzaga begins season atop Top 25 for first timeFILE - Gonzaga players celebrate after defeating Saint Mary's in an NCAA college basketball game in the final of the West Coast Conference men's tournament in Las Vegas, in this Tuesday, March 10, 2020, file photo. Gonzaga will begin the college basketball season No. 1 for the first time after coach Mark Few's bunch earned 28 first-place votes in the preseason AP Top 25 poll released Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
No. 1 Zags: Gonzaga begins season atop Top 25 for first time
Read full article: No. 1 Zags: Gonzaga begins season atop Top 25 for first timeIowa was picked fifth behind national player of the year front-runner Luka Garza, its highest preseason ranking in school history. The Bears, who also have their highest preseason ranking, spent five weeks at No. THE REST OF THE POLLCreighton lost Ty-Shon Alexander to the NBA and Davion Mintz to Kentucky but still landed the highest preseason ranking in school history at No. 17, its highest preseason ranking since the final Phi Slama Jama team of Hakeem Olajuwon began the 1983-84 season at No. 6 in the final poll last season but losing Mountain West player of the year Malachi Flynn and two other elite producers.