SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Orange men’s basketball team moved up one spot in both national polls this week. Syracuse is second in the most recent Associated Press rankings and third in the current edition of the ESPN/USA Today poll. Both polls were released on Monday, Feb. 8.
The Orange’s No. 2 ranking in the AP poll is its highest listing since the team was ranked No. 1 during the 1989-90 season.
Syracuse earned eight first-place votes in this week’s AP poll and totaled 1,553 points. Kansas remained the nation’s No. 1 team with 55 first-place votes and 1,613 points.
In the ESPN/USA Today coaches rankings, the Orange collected one first-place vote and 713 points. Kansas (29 first-place votes, 773 points) and Kentucky (one first-place vote, 731 points) held the top two positions.
Also released Monday were the BIG EAST’s weekly awards and sophomore forward
Kris Joseph was recognized with conference honor roll recognition. Joseph averaged 20.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals in SU’s wins against Providence and Cincinnati last week. He tallied a career-best 23 points against the Friars.
Syracuse returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 10 when it hosts BIG EAST rival Connecticut at the Carrier Dome. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. and the game is part of “Rivalry Week” on ESPN.