Zags’ path to #1 opens as top 2 fall

Gonzaga’s path to No. 1 opened up Tuesday when top-ranked Villanova and second-ranked Kansas absorbed road defeats.

The third-ranked Zags are next in line to ascend to the top spot in the AP poll if they take care of business against visiting San Diego on Thursday and on the road versus Pepperdine on Saturday.

West Virginia’s Esa Ahmad scored a career-high 27 points to lead the 18th-ranked Mountaineers past Kansas 85-69 in Morgantown, West Virginia. About an hour after the Jayhawks’ loss, Marquette completed an improbable rally from 17 points down to knock off Villanova 74-72 in Milwaukee/ AP, SR reports . More here.