Pitt Tops Both Polls; 5 Big East Teams Ranked

For the second time in school history and third week this season, the Pittsburgh men’s basketball program is ranked No. 1 in the weekly Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN coaches’ polls, both announced on Monday.

Pitt ascended to the consensus No. 1 ranking after entering the week ranked No. 4 in both polls. On Monday, Pitt defeated No. 1 ranked Connecticut, 76-68. On Saturday, No. 3 North Carolina lost an 88-85 overtime decision to Maryland and No. 2 Oklahoma dropped a 73-68 loss at Texas.

The Big East, which at one point had nine teams in the Top 25, had just five this week: No. 1 Pitt, No. 2 UConn, No. 6 Louisville, No. 8 Marquette and No. 10 Villanova. Syracuse, which dropped out of the poll, and West Virginia also received votes.

ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi projects both Pitt and UConn as No. 1 seeds with eight Big East teams in the Big Dance, including Georgetown. He has Cincinnati and Notre Dame among the first four out.

**Also here’s a feature on former UConn guard Nate Miles, now averaging 22.8 points and 5.0 rebounds at the College of Southern Idaho.