Iowa men's basketball cracks top 25

An Iowa men's basketball team carrying few expectations entering the 2018-19 season after last year's 14-19 campaign is already ranked in the first regular-season top 25.

Wins over then-No. 16 Oregon and Connecticut in last week's 2K Empire Classic vaulted the Hawkeyes (4-0) to No. 22 in this week's coaches poll.

Read more: Hawkeyes ranked but not rejoicing

Iowa is still two spots behind the Ducks (3-1) despite a 77-69 win Thursday. Michigan (5-0) leads the Big Ten at No. 8, while Michigan State (3-1) is No. 11, Purdue (4-1) is 19th and Ohio State (4-0) and Nebraska (3-0) follow Iowa at Nos. 23 and 24.

Duke, Kansas, Gonzaga, Virginia and Tennessee make up the top five.

Iowa State is receiving votes.

The Associated Press ranks Iowa 20th.

The Hawkeyes host Alabama State at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Men's college basketball coaches poll — Nov. 19, 2018

1. Duke (3-0)

2. Kansas (3-0)

3. Gonzaga (3-0)

4. Virginia (3-0)

5. Tennessee (3-0)

6. North Carolina (4-0)

7. Nevada (3-0)

8. Michigan (4-0)

9. Auburn (3-0)

10. Kentucky (3-1)

11. Michigan State (3-1)

12. Kansas State (4-0)

13. Florida State (2-0)

14. Virginia Tech (4-0)

15. Mississippi State (3-0)

16. Clemson (3-0)

17. UCLA (3-0)

18. Texas Christian (3-0)

19. Purdue (4-1)

20. Oregon (3-1)

21. Louisiana State (4-0)

22. Iowa (4-0)

23. Ohio State (4-0)

24. Nebraska (3-0)

25. Buffalo (3-0)