Villanova No. 1 again, Kentucky back in top five in coaches poll

Villanova retains the No. 1 ranking in the Paste BN Sports men’s basketball coaches poll, but holding on to the top spot might not be easy once conference play rolls around.
The Wildcats once again claimed 28 of 32 first-place votes, but they’re just one of four Big East squads ranked in the top 20. Creighton, also unbeaten, checks in at No. 9 this week, Butler climbs five places to No. 13 following its big win against Indiana, and Xavier holds down the No. 17 position.
Add in Seton Hall’s victory against then-No. 15 South Carolina earlier in the week, and the defending champs’ conference is looking quite formidable.
TOP 25: Paste BN Sports coaches poll
UCLA retains the No. 2 ranking with a pair of first-place votes, with No. 3 Kansas and fourth-ranked Duke continuing to receive one each. Kentucky climbs back into the top five on the — er — heels of the Wildcats’ thrilling win against North Carolina.
THE BEST OF THE WEEK IN COLLEGE HOOPS