For the first time since New Year's Eve of 1996, Iowa State has cracked the top four in the Associated Press men's basketball poll.
The Cyclones rose three spots from No. 7, aided in part by several top-tier losses, including North Carolina (to Northern Iowa), Kansas (to Michigan State), Duke (to Kentucky) and Virginia (to George Washington). It was a bit surprising to see voters punish the 4-1 Blue Devils for their lone loss to now top-ranked UK, particularly after good bounce-backs wins over VCU and Georgetown on neutral floors. But I suppose they had to go somewhere.