Kansas jumps to No. 2 in coaches poll behind Villanova

The start of conference play in men’s college basketball has already dramatically reduced the number of unbeaten squads, and the results caused considerable shuffling in the first Paste BN Sports coaches poll of 2017.

Villanova survived its opening Big East tests, including a top-10 showdown at Creighton, to retain the No. 1 spot with 30 of 31 first-place votes cast this week.

The remaining first continues to go to Kansas, which climbs to No. 2. The only other two squads yet to taste defeat this season, Baylor and Gonzaga, check in at Nos. 3 and 4, respectively..

TOP 25:  Paste BN Sports coaches poll

UCLA, which suffered its first loss of the campaign at Oregon during the week, falls to No. 5.

Oregon, in fact, was responsible for handing both the Bruins and Southern California their first ‘L’s. As a result, the Ducks vault seven positions to No. 14, matching No. 13 Florida State for the biggest jump of the week. Entering the top 25 are No. 23 Virginia Tech, on the heels of the Hokies, big home win against Duke, and No. 24 Florida.

BEST OF THE WEEK IN COLLEGE HOOPS