UMass returns to AP rankings

— -- Massachusetts is back in The Associated Press Top 25 for the first time in 15 years.

The unbeaten Minutemen, off to their best start since 2010-11, were ranked 24th in the latest AP poll, which was released Monday.

Michigan State remained atop the poll for the second straight week, receiving 56 first-place votes from the 65-member national media poll.

Massachusetts moved into the rankings for the first time since the first regular-season poll of 1998-99, three years after the school's only Final Four appearance, which was ultimately vacated by the NCAA because players, including star center Marcus Camby, accepted illegal gifts.

UMass (6-0) won the Charleston Classic on Sunday night by beating Nebraska, then-No. 19 New Mexico and Clemson. The Minutemen continued their best start since the 2010-11 team opened 7-0.

The Spartans (6-0) won three games last week to remain one spot ahead of No. 2 Kansas, which drew eight first-place votes.

Kentucky, the preseason No. 1, and Arizona moved up one spot each to third and fourth, respectively. Oklahoma State received the other No. 1 vote and jumped from seventh to fifth. Duke stayed at sixth.

Ohio State, Syracuse, Louisville and Wisconsin rounded out the top 10. Louisville dropped from third after losing to North Carolina.

Also new to the rankings this week is No. 23 Iowa (5-0), which is ranked for the first time since the final poll of 2005-06.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.