Syracuse New Number One in AP Poll

Dion Waiters is second on the team in scoring at 11.9 per game. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Dave Martin

Dave Martin is a New-York based writer as well as editor. He is the sports editor for the Epoch Times and is a consultant to private writers.

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December 12, 2011Updated: December 12, 2011

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The Syracuse Orangemen (10-0) are the new number one team in the latest AP Poll, released Monday.

Jim Boeheim’s club received 51 of a possible 65 first-place votes to out-distance second-ranked Ohio State (8-1). The Buckeyes stayed number two and received seven first-place votes despite losing at Kansas (78 – 67) Saturday while without the services of All-American forward Jared Sullinger.

The Jayhawks (7-2) moved up one spot (12th) with the win.

Kentucky (8-1), Louisville (9-0), and North Carolina (8-2) round out the top five and were the only others receiving first-place votes.

The Wildcats, who were the top-ranked team the previous two weeks, fell to third after their one-point loss at Indiana (9-0) Saturday. The Hoosiers jumped to number 18 in the poll after being previously unranked.

Rounding out the top 10 were Baylor (7-0), Duke (9-1), Xavier (8-0), Connecticut (8-1), and Missouri (9-0).