NCAA News Wire
College roundup: Kentucky a unanimous choice atop poll
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
When the votes were tallied Monday, to no one’s surprise, Kentucky remained atop the AP Top 25 poll.
The Wildcats, off to a 13-0 start, received all 64 first-place votes. They last were in action on Dec. 27 when they defeated Louisville, 58-50. Kentucky returns to the hardcourt on Tuesday against Mississippi.
Duke, Virginia, Wisconsin and Louisville round out the top five.
Seton Hall, VCU, Arkansas and Old Dominion broke into the top 25. Seton Hall defeated Villanova, which was unbeaten. The Pirates are ranked 19.
Dropping out of the top 25 are Washington, Colorado State, Northern Iowa and Georgetown.
—DaJuan Coleman has not played in almost a year, and he won’t be suiting up and playing for Syracuse anytime soon.
The 6-foot-9, 255-pound junior will sit out the rest of this season and will request a medical hardship waiver to regain a year of eligibility.
“It’s official as far as I’m concerned,” Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said during Monday’s ACC Conference call. “Unless something radical happens, and I don’t think it will.”
Recurring knee issues have plagued Coleman, who was a highly sought recruit. Last season, he started and averaged a little more than four points and four rebounds per game until knee problems sidelined him on Jan. 7.
“He’s had some soreness and stiffness the last couple practices,” Boeheim said. “He’s not going to play this year.”
