UCLA was handsomely rewarded by the poll voters for its victory over top-ranked Kentucky on Saturday in the program’s first game ever in historic Rupp Arena.
The Bruins moved up nine spots to No. 2 in the Associated Press poll, their first time in the top five since 2008. They are ranked behind only No. 1 Villanova, the defending national champion.
Kentucky, which lost to the Bruins, 97-92, dropped five spots to No. 6 in the AP poll.
Villanova received 57 of the 65 first-place votes, but UCLA earned two first-place votes. No. 3 Baylor, which started the season unranked, received the remaining six first-place votes.