Virginia moves to #8 in AP Poll, #9 in Coaches Poll

The Virginia Cavaliers moved up to #8 in the AP Poll and #9 in the Coaches Poll released today.

Michigan State maintained the top spot in both polls.  Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa State, and Kentucky were the rest of the top 5 in the AP Poll, while the Coaches Poll reshuffled the order to MSU, ISU, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Kansas.

The Hoos were rewarded for their win against West Virginia at Madison Square Garden last Tuesday by jumping two future opponents, Villanova and UNC.  (The most ringing endorsement of UVA as a team may be WVU dropping just two spots to #16 in the Coaches Poll after a 16-point neutral site loss; the Mountaineers are 20th in the AP).

Looking at the AP rankings of the rest of the ACC, Duke is the highest rated, one spot ahead of Virginia at #7, UNC fell to #11 after their road loss at Texas, followed by Miami at 15, and Louisville at 19. Pitt, Notre Dame, and Syracuse also received votes.

The Hoos will take on #12 Villanova this Saturday at JPJ. They will be the third ranked opponent that UVA has played out of conference, as George Washington debuted in the poll at #21 this week.

Here is how things look in the computer world:
KenPom: #1 (7th in offense, 5th in defense)
Sagarin: #5
ESPN BPI: #8
RPI: #47 (Reminder to laugh at people who cite this number come March.)

The full AP Top 25 can be found here. And here is the Coaches Poll.