MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia’s 69-59 loss at Oklahoma did little to harm the Mountaineers’ reputation in the eyes of pollsters in another volatile week in college basketball.
West Virginia (18-5, 6-4 Big 12) fell only one spot in the AP Top 25, dropping down to 14th. The Mountaineers are also ranked 14th in the USA Today Coaches Poll, where they dipped from the 11th spot last week.
There is potential for a much more dramatic degree of movement in next week’s polls.
West Virginia hosts No. 3 Kansas (20-3, 9-1) for a sold-out game at WVU Coliseum on Wednesday night. The Mountaineers have not lost at home this season.
On Saturday, the Mountaineers have another shot at a monumental upset with a trip to No. 1 Baylor (21-1, 10-0).
West Virginia remains highly regarded in computer rankings used by the NCAA tournament selection committee. The NCAA’s NET rankings place the Mountaineers at ninth nationally, and KenPom.com rates West Virginia at No. 7.
AP Top 25
1. Baylor (21-1)
2. Gonzaga (25-1)
3. Kansas (20-3)
4. San Diego State (24-0)
5. Louisville (21-3)
6. Dayton (21-2)
7. Duke (20-3)
8. Florida State (20-3)
9. Maryland (19-4)
10. Seton Hall (18-5)
11. Auburn (21-2)
12. Kentucky (18-5)
13. Penn State (18-5)
14. West Virginia (18-5)
15. Villanova (17-6)
16. Colorado (19-5)
17. Oregon (18-6)
18. Marquette (17-6)
19. Butler (18-6)
20. Houston (19-5)
21. Iowa (17-7)
22. Illinois (16-7)
23. Creighton (18-6)
24. Texas Tech (15-8)
25. LSU (17-6)
Others receiving votes: Michigan State 124, Rhode Island 57, Northern Iowa 44, BYU 43, Arizona 34, Purdue 27, Ohio State 14, Cincinnati 6, Stephen F. Austin 6, Michigan 3, Rutgers 2, Virginia 2, East Tennessee State 2, Wright State 1, Winthrop 1.