NEW YORK (November 30, 2009 – http://www.gozags.com) – Gonzaga University checked into the Associated Press Top 25 at No. 17 this week, the Bulldogs first appearance in the poll this season after being in the others receiving votes category last week.

Gonzaga (5-1) moved into the Top 25 on the strength of last week’s EA Sports Maui Invitational title, the Bulldogs downing Colorado, Wisconsin and Cincinnati to claim their first crown in three trips. Cincinnati is 22^nd in this week’s poll.

The Bulldogs ended the 2009 season ranked 10th after being as high as fourth during the season.

Guards Matt Bouldin and Steven Gray were named Co-MVPs of the Maui Invitational in helping the Bulldogs to the crown.

Kansas is within two votes of being a unanimous No. 1 in the AP ballotingthe same week a record-tying seven teams moved into the Top 25.

The Jayhawks received all but two first-place votes from the 65-member national media panel on Monday to remain No. 1 for the fourth straight poll. Texas moved up one spot to No. 2, matching its highest ranking.

Villanova, Purdue, Kentucky, Duke, West Virginia, Syracuse, Michigan State and North Carolina rounds out the top 10.

Florida leads the newcomers at No. 13. No. 25 Portland is in the poll for the first time in 50 years.

Michigan, which was 15th, was the highest ranked team to fall out of the poll.  Seven teams moved into the poll in December 1955.

The top 25 teams in The Associated Press’ college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Nov. 29, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and previous ranking:

Record                          Pts    Pvs

1. Kansas (63)            5-0  1,623   1

2. Texas (1)              5-0  1,508   3

3. Villanova              6-0  1,442   4

4. Purdue                 5-0  1,389   6

5. Kentucky               6-0  1,333   5

6. Duke                   6-0  1,316   7

7. West Virginia          5-0  1,238   8

8. Syracuse (1)           6-0  1,183  10

9. Michigan St.           5-1  1,109   2

10. North Carolina         6-1    961  11

11. Tennessee              5-1    936   9

12. Washington             5-0    893  14

13. Florida                6-0    777   -

14. Connecticut            4-1    742  13

15. Ohio St.               5-1    702  17

16. Georgetown             4-0    588  18

17. Gonzaga                5-1    491   -

18. Clemson                6-1    426  19

19. Texas A&M              5-1    284   -

20. Louisville             4-1    252  16

21. Florida St.            6-1    219   -

22. Cincinnati             4-1    205   -

23. Butler                 4-2    200  12

24. UNLV                   5-0    191   -

25. Portland               5-1    120   -