Virginia stays at No. 1 in AP Top 25; Duke jumps to 5th
By AARON BEARD, Associated Press
Feb 19, 2018 11:13 AM CST
Duke's Gary Trent Jr. shoots a three-point basket while defended by Clemson's Scott Spencer during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)   (Associated Press)

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Virginia strengthened its hold on No. 1 in the AP Top 25 while Duke jumped back into the top five after a pair of impressive wins.

The Cavaliers earned 42 of 65 first-place votes in the poll released Monday. That's 12 more than last week, when they reached No. 1 for the first time since the Ralph Sampson era.

The top four remained unchanged, with No. 2 Michigan State earning 19 first-place votes after rallying from 27 down to beat Northwestern. Third-ranked Villanova got the other four first-place votes after winning at No. 4 Xavier.

Fifth-ranked Duke jumped seven spots after beating Virginia Tech and Clemson despite playing without injured top freshman Marvin Bagley III.

Middle Tennessee checked in at 24th, marking its first AP Top 25 appearance in program history.

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