12/12/2016 basketball Edit

Notre Dame No. 21 In Associated Press Hoops Poll

Notre Dame's Matt Farrell (right) takes a shot during last week's loss to Villanova. (USA Today Sports)

Matt Jones • InsideNDSports

Staff

Despite losing to No. 1 Villanova on Saturday, Notre Dame has risen in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.

The Irish, who were ranked 23rd last week, are now No. 21. The narrow loss to Villanova — a game in which Notre Dame played well and led by double digits — was nationally televised on CBS, giving head coach Mike Brey's team an opportunity to impress voters.

Notre Dame could make another jump in the rankings with a victory over No. 15 Purdue this Saturday. The two in-state programs will square off in the Crossroads Classic in Indianapolis.

Five Atlantic Coast Conference teams are ranked: Duke (5), North Carolina (7), Louisville (11), Virginia (13) are all ranked ahead of the Irish. ACC play for Notre Dame begins Dec. 31 at Pittsburgh.

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