Virginia climbs atop AP Top 25 for first time since 1982

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Virginia has climbed to No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the first time in more than 35 years.

The Cavaliers earned 30 of 65 first-place votes in Monday's latest poll to outdistance No. 2 Michigan State. Virginia had suffered an overtime home loss Saturday to Virginia Tech, part of an upset-filled week that saw the top three teams lose.

But Tony Bennett's Cavaliers rose above the turmoil at the top, climbing a slot to No. 1 for the first time since December 1982 -- the senior season of 7-foot-4 great Ralph Sampson.

The Spartans climbed two slots after their win against Purdue. Last week's No. 1, Villanova, fell to third after a home loss to St. John's.

Xavier and Cincinnati rounded out the top five.