Oklahoma holds narrow edge over UNC for No. 1 spot

Oklahoma, despite losing to Iowa State last week, remains No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25. Unlike last week, when the Sooners were a unanimous pick for the top spot, North Carolina is a close second.

The Sooners (16-2) received 36 first-place votes from the 65-member national media panel Monday, seven more than the Tar Heels (18-2), who remained second.

Iowa jumped from ninth to third, the Hawkeyes' highest ranking since January 1987. They have beaten five ranked teams -- sweeps of Michigan State and Purdue plus a victory over Wichita State -- this season.

They were followed by Kansas and Texas A&M, which is at its highest ranking ever. Villanova, Xavier, Maryland, West Virginia and Providence round out the top 10.

Wichita State, Oregon and Notre Dame -- all of whom have been ranked during the season -- are the week's newcomers, replacing Butler, USC and South Carolina.After starting 5-5, the Shockers have won nine straight games.The Ducks have won five of their last six, and the Fighting Irish are on a four-game winning streak.

Notre Dame's addition gives the ACC six ranked teams. The Big 12 and Big Ten both have five teams in the Top 25; the Big East has three.