The Syracuse Orange (19-0) lead the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll, released Monday, marking their sixth straight week at the top. The Kentucky Wildcats (17-1) come in at No. 2 for the third straight week, while the Baylor Bears (17-0) ascend to No. 3, their highest mark of the 2011/12 season. The Duke Blue Devils (15-2) and Missouri Tigers (16-1) round out the top five, moving up from No. 8 and No. 9, respectively.
Syracuse is one of five Big East squads ranked in the Top 25, joining the Georgetown Hoyas (14-3, No. 10), Connecticut Huskies (14-3, No. 13), Marquette Golden Eagles (14-4, No. 21), and Louisville Cardinals (14-4, No. 23).
The West Virginia Mountaineers (13-5) received some Top 25 consideration, tallying 16 voting points, but would have needed 87 more in order to leapfrog the No. 25 Kansas St. Wildcats. The Pittsburgh Panthers (11-7), who have lost six straight games entering Monday's contest against the Orange, are not ranked.
For more on the Mountaineers, please visit The Smoking Musket, SB Nation's WVU blog. For more on the Panthers, please visit Cardiac Hill, SB Nation's Pitt blog. For coverage of the Big East, please visit Big East Coast Bias, SB Nation's blog about the Big East.