Michigan is back in the AP Top-25 men’s basketball poll after beating one Los Angeles school. Staying there might require beating another.
The Wolverines appeared at No. 24 in Monday’s poll. They are 11-3 after winning their only game since last week’s poll, Saturday’s 85-74 victory at USC.
They made their season debut in the poll at No. 14 on Dec. 9 — their first appearance in more than two years — on Dec. 9, dropped 10 spots the following week, and fell out the next.
Michigan has responded from two straight last-second losses by winning three straight. Beating USC made the Wolverines 3-0 in the Big Ten. They play at No. 22 UCLA on Tuesday. The Bruins (11-3, 2-1) fell seven spots in this week’s poll after losing at Nebraska.
The Michigan women lost their only game of the week but stayed in the poll at No. 25, dropping one spot. The minor slip was warranted given that the loss came to No. 1 UCLA on Wednesday. The Wolverines (10-4, 1-2) will have a shot to move up in next week’s poll. They host undefeated and ninth-ranked Ohio State on Wednesday and play at Purdue on Saturday.
