There was movement atop the AP Top 25 on Monday. But the Ohio State Buckeyes remained No. 2 in the country, despite losing for the first time this season, and the Xavier Musketeers remained No. 8 after a couple more wins.
The Syracuse Orangeman, 10-0, moved up from No. 3 and assumed the top position in the country after both the Kentucky Wildcats and Ohio State lost since the previous AP poll was released on Dec. 5.
While Syracuse flipped spots with Kentucky, the Buckeyes stayed put at No. 2 after losing 78-67 at Kansas on Dec. 10. Ohio State, 8-1, lost its first true road game of the season but played the now No. 13 Jayhawks competitively even as star forward Jared Sullinger sat out due to back spasms. It was the second straight game Sullinger missed because of the injury.
Meanwhile, the Xaveier Musketeers also stayed put, ranking No. 8 again after improving to 8-0. Xavier beat the Butler Bulldogs 73-61 and topped the Cincinnati Bearcats 76-53 since last week's poll.