Kentucky moves up to No. 1

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky is back on top of The Associated Press’ college basketball poll.

Freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has a simple plan on how to stay there.

“All we’ve got to do is win games and we’ll be No. 1 forever,” said Kidd-Gilchrist, one of three freshman starters for the Wildcats. “To be this young as a team and to be No. 1, that’s a blessing.”

Kentucky is the only team in last week’s top four not to lose over the weekend.

The Wildcats, who were ranked No. 1 for two weeks earlier this season, moved up one place Monday after receiving 61 first-place votes from the 65-member national media panel.

Missouri, which got two No. 1 votes, jumped from fifth to second, while Syracuse, which was in first place for the past six weeks, dropped to third after losing at Notre Dame, its first loss this season. The Orange were No. 1 on two ballots.

Ohio State and Kansas moved up two places to fourth and fifth and were followed by Baylor, which fell three places after losing two games last week.

Murray State, the lone remaining unbeaten team in Division I at 20-0, is 11th and doesn’t play again until Saturday against Eastern Illinois.