Michigan basketball drops in AP poll entering postseason - MLive.com

Michigan is the top seed in this week’s Big Ten Tournament. But the Wolverines will not be the event’s highest-ranked team, at least not in the AP poll.

After losing twice, Michigan fell from No. 2 to No. 4 in Monday’s top-25 poll. Baylor moved up one spot to No. 2, while the Big Ten’s Illinois rose one place to No. 3. Gonzaga remained No. 1.

The Wolverines entered the week 18-1 but lost to Illinois at home on Tuesday, 76-53. Two days later, they bounced back with a 69-50 home win over Michigan State to clinch the Big Ten regular-season title. Michigan State won the rematch on Sunday, 70-64.

The 15-11 Spartans, despite their recent surge, received just one vote in Monday’s Associated Press poll.

The Big Ten was well represented near the top of the poll. Iowa held at No. 5 and Ohio State is No. 9, down two spots from last week. Purdue moved up three spots to No. 20.

The Big Ten Tournament begins on Wednesday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Michigan State, the 9 seed, plays on Thursday against 8 seed Maryland (11:30 a.m. ET). The winner will face Michigan on Friday (11:30 a.m.) in the quarterfinals.

More MLive college basketball content:

‘No more losing’: What Michigan basketball must do to recapture fire

Illinois thinks it won the Big Ten. Juwan Howard isn’t having it.

Under weight of 22-year streak, Michigan State rallies for likely NCAA Tournament berth

Michigan’s Eli Brooks injured with March Madness looming

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