Michigan State takes slight dip in AP poll following Duke loss

Michigan State is still falling in the Associated Press poll, though not as far this week.

And now, the Spartans have an opportunity in front of them to climb back up.

Michigan State fell three spots to No. 21 in the Nov. 20 poll.

That fall comes after the Spartans lost by nine on Tuesday to No. 9 Duke on a neutral court in Chicago. Michigan State followed that up with decisive wins against Butler and Alcorn State to close the week.

Michigan State is now 3-2 on the season, with wins over Butler, Southern Indiana and Alcorn State and losses to Duke and James Madison.

The top of the poll remained largely the same, as no teams in the top nine faltered.

That group includes No. 3 Arizona, which Michigan State’s opponent on Thanksgiving in Palm Springs. That game will be the only one the Spartans play before the next poll is released in a week.

Michigan State and No. 2 Purdue are now the only two Big Ten teams ranked. Illinois dropped out of this week’s poll after falling at home to Marquette on Tuesday.

Associated Press College Basketball Top 25

Others receiving votes: Memphis 149, BYU 138, Illinois 138, San Diego St. 77, UCLA 75, TCU 69, Iowa St. 67, Villanova 44, Auburn 28, Clemson 12, Oklahoma 10, Princeton 10, Michigan 10, Liberty 7, South Carolina 3, Chattanooga 2, Nevada 1, Drake 1, Colorado St. 1.