Northwestern joins AP Top 25 poll for first time since 2017 originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
If you heard a loud clatter outside your window last week, it wasn’t just Santa and his reindeer causing a stir. It was Northwestern looking to crash the Top 25 party. And they succeeded.
The Wildcats are in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2017 at No. 19 after an impressive week of victories, including at Indiana and in Evanston against Ohio State. They also defeated Michigan State last Sunday.
It makes them the ninth Big Ten team in this weeks rankings, with Wisconsin topping the conference race at No. 6.
Gonzaga and Baylor continue their dominance, ranking at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.
Iowa is currently ranked No. 10, dropping six spots this week. Rutgers dropped three spots to No. 14, while Illinois moved up three spots after wins over Indiana and Penn State, moving their record in Big Ten play to 3-1 on the young season.
The Illini will next take the floor Saturday when they face Purdue, then they’ll face Northwestern in Evanston on Jan. 7.
Michigan and Michigan State check in at Nos. 16 and 17, respectively, while Minnesota stayed steady at No. 21. Ohio State dropped two spots, but stayed in the top-25 at No. 25, giving the Big Ten nine teams in the top 25.
In doing so, the Big Ten is only the second conference in history to boast at least nine teams in the top 25, joining the Big East, who last accomplished the feat in 2011.
Here are the rest of the rankings:
READ: AP Top 25 basketball rankings: Northwestern, Illinois part of Big Ten surge
