The week six AP Top-25 rankings were released today, and both the men’s and women’s Iowa basketball teams remain firmly in the collegiate rankings.
After a rough week five where both the men’s and women’s Iowa basketball teams lost to ranked opponents (the men losing to Wisconsin and the women getting blown out by Notre Dame) and dropped in the rankings, each team got back on the winning track in week six. Albeit, the men took a little longer to get there after suffering a big loss to Michigan State at the Breslin Center Monday evening.
The women responded by winning both week six games, the first a huge win over in-state rival Iowa State on a last-second shot by senior guard Tania Davis, and the second a blowout victory over IUPUI 72-58 where senior All-American Megan Gustafson reached the 2,000 point milestone.
After losing to Michigan State, it was pertinent that the men’s Iowa basketball team responded well when the Iowa State Cyclones went to Carver Hawkeye Arena Thursday evening.
Needless to say, they did. The men came out with energy and gusto dominating the Cyclones throughout the game. Their large victory over this very strong Iowa State team was likely the difference in the Iowa basketball team remaining in the Top-25 versus falling out completely.
Heading into a slow week with no basketball games until this weekend, it was a nice little bit of news to see the rankings come out today.
The men fell four spots to 22 while the women remained right where they have been at the 16th spot. For reference, the Wisconsin Badgers also fell four spots after losing to Marquette this past week and the Michigan State Spartans rose a spot after their strong week. Meanwhile, the Iowa State men’s team received the eighth most votes for top-25 inclusion. Six Big Ten teams remain in the top-25 with four others receiving votes.
On the women’s side, Notre Dame remained at the number 2 spot while the Florida State Seminoles continue to make their case for top-25 consideration as they are now receiving the third most votes for top-25 inclusion. They have yet to lose a game since beating the women’s Iowa basketball team.
Both teams only have one game this week (both playing the UNI Panthers, which they will be favored to win) with finals this week so I don’t anticipate much of a change in next week’s rankings.