Michigan State women vault six spots to No. 17 in AP basketball poll

New York — A big victory helped the Michigan State women’s basketball team make a big jump in the Associated Press Top 25.

The Spartans (12-3) moved up six spots to No. 17 in the poll, thanks in part to last Wednesday’s 86-68 victory over then-No. 18 Minnesota.

It sets up a big week for Michigan State, which travels to Ohio State on Monday night before playing host to No. 9 Maryland on Thursday.

Central Michigan received votes in the poll, collecting 12 points.

Notre Dame remained No. 1 in the poll after beating then-No. 2 Louisville last week.

The Fighting Irish received 23 first-place votes from the 30-member national media panel. Louisville fell to fourth, swapping places with Baylor, which received six first-place votes. UConn moved into a tie with the Lady Bears for the No. 2 slot. The Huskies got the final first-place vote. The Irish beat Louisville by 14 points and then routed Wake Forest by 30.

Oregon rounded out the first five teams in the poll.

Stanford, Mississippi State, North Carolina State, Maryland and Oregon State fill out the top 10.

Rutgers and DePaul entered the AP Top 25 at Nos. 20 and 24 while Florida State and California fell out.

WOMEN’S ASSOCIATED PRESS TOP 25

Others receiving votes: Florida State 54, Utah 36, Butler 20, Texas A&M 20, Missouri 19, California 17, Georgia 17, Central Michigan 12, Drake 9, South Dakota 7, Auburn 4, UCF 4, Clemson 3, Purdue 3, Arizona 1.