Jan. 5, 2009

PITTSBURGH—For the first time in school history, the University of Pittsburgh men’s basketball program was ranked No. 1 in the weekly Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN coaches’ polls, both announced on Monday.

Pitt ascended to the consensus No. 1 ranking after entering the week ranked No. 3 in both polls. On Monday, No. 2 ranked Connecticut was defeated by No. 11 ranked Georgetown 74-63. No. 3 Pitt defeated both Rutgers (78-72) and Georgetown (70-54). No. 1 ranked North Carolina dropped an 85-78 decision to Boston College.

In the Associated Press poll, Pitt garnered 70 of the 72 first place votes. The USA Today/ESPN poll saw Pitt earn 30 of the 31 first place votes.

In addition, the Big East Conference set new weekly Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN coaches’ poll records with nine programs ranked among the nation’s top-25. Those programs include Pitt, Connecticut, Syracuse, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Marquette, Villanova, Louisville and West Virginia.

The men’s basketball team becomes the first Pitt team to hold the No. 1 national ranking since the 1982 Pitt football season. The 1982 Pitt football team entered its season ranked No. 1 and held the top spot for three weeks during the year (Sept. 7, Oct. 26, Nov. 2).

Pitt will also enter the week ranked No. 1 in the Ratings Percentage Index (www.realtimerpi.com) with a No. 3 ranked strength of schedule.

At 14-0, Pitt remains one of only four undefeated teams at the NCAA Division I level. The other schools include Clemson (14-0), Illinois State (14-0) and Wake Forest (13-0).

Pitt (14-0, 2-0 Big East) hosts St. John’s at the Petersen Events Center on Sunday, Jan. 11 at noon. The contest will be televised on ESPN Regional/WTAE-TV locally.

ASSOCIATED PRESS RANKINGS

(as of Jan. 5, 2009)

Others receiving votes: Michigan 153, California 122, Arkansas 109, Illinois 108, Gonzaga 86, Wisconsin 86, Memphis 67, Davidson 56, Saint Mary's 50, UNLV 43, Illinois State 39, Kansas 37, Ohio State 28, Texas A&M 27, Maryland 25, Dayton 22, Florida 13, Florida State 13, Brigham Young 12, Miami (FL) 8, Missouri 4.

USA TODAY/ESPN COACHES’ POLL RANKINGS

(as of January 5, 2009)

Others receiving votes: Dayton 54, Illinois State 50, Michigan 49, Saint Mary’s 43, Ohio State 40, Memphis 37, BYU 34, Illinois 34, California 31, Davidson 31, Arkansas 27, Gonzaga 27, Wisconsin 26, Texas A&M 22, Missouri 21, Florida 11, UNLV 10, Kansas 7, Stanford 5, Florida State 1, Maryland 1, Utah State 1, Washington 1.

PITT MEN’S BASKETBALL HIGHEST NATIONAL RANKINGS