Iowa jumps to No. 4 in coaches poll, No. 3 in AP

For the first time in 27 years, Iowa's men's basketball team is ranked in the top five.

The Hawkeyes -- now the highest-ranked Big Ten team -- leaped five spots to No. 4 in the USA Today coaches poll and six places to No. 3 in the AP rankings, released Monday.

The last time Iowa was ranked in the top five in any poll was when it was No. 5 in January 1989.

The Hawkeyes haven't been No. 3 by the AP since Dec. 8, 1987.

Iowa beat Rutgers and then-No. 22 Purdue last week to improve to 7-0 in the Big Ten. 

Meanwhile, six top 10 teams lost last week, helping the Hawkeyes move up.

Maryland, the Hawkeyes' opponent Thursday, fell to No. 7 in the coaches poll. Michigan State is No. 11, Indiana -- tied for the Big Ten lead with Iowa -- is No. 17 and Purdue is No. 21.

Iowa State moved up five spots to No. 16 ahead of its Big Monday game against No. 3 Kansas in Ames. The Cyclones take on No. 5 Texas A&M on Saturday.

North Carolina, featuring Linn-Mar graduate Marcus Paige at point guard, is the new No. 1 team. The Tar Heels were No. 1 back in November before Northern Iowa defeated them in Cedar Falls.

Coaches Poll

1. North Carolina 18-2

2. Oklahoma 16-2

3. Kansas 16-3

4. Iowa 16-3

5. Texas A&M 17-2

6. Villanova 17-3

7. Maryland 17-3

8. Xavier 17-2

9. West Virginia 16-3

10. Providence 17-3

11. Michigan State 17-4

12. Virginia 15-4

13. Miami (Fla.) 15-3

14. Louisville 16-3

15. Arizona 16-4

16. Iowa State 15-4

17. Indiana 17-3

18. Baylor 15-4

19. Kentucky 15-4

20. Duke 15-5

21. Purdue 17-4

22. South Carolina 17-2

23. Pittsburgh 16-3

24. Oregon 16-4

25. Wichita State 14-5

AP Poll