Big week helps Mizzou rise to No. 3 in AP poll

Duke and Illinois stayed 1-2 in the AP college basketball poll Monday, while three teams that reached championship games of preseason tournaments moved into the rankings for the first time this season.

The Blue Devils (4-0), who opened defense of their national championship last week by winning the Maui Invitational and beating Portland, stayed No. 1 with 67 first-place votes and 1,747 points from the national media panel.

The Fighting Illini (5-0), who won four games last week in taking the Las Vegas Invitational, stayed second, receiving the other three No. 1 votes and 1,672 points.

The three new teams in the rankings were Ball State, which came in at No. 16 after its impressive run in the Maui Invitational; Marquette, which moved in as No. 23 after winning the Great Alaska Shootout; and Wake Forest, which held the 25th spot after reaching the finals of the Preseason NIT.

Missouri, which won the inaugural Guardians Classic, moved up two spots to No. 3, while Arizona, which didn't play last week, moved from eighth to No. 4.

Maryland and Florida each moved up one place to fifth and sixth, while Iowa, Kansas, Virginia and UCLA rounded out the Top Ten.