North Carolina is the new No. 1

North Carolina is No. 1 in the Associated Press’ college basketball poll for the first time in almost six years. The wait has been quite a bit longer for Washington State, which is ranked for the first time in almost 24 years.

The Tar Heels (14-1) moved into the top spot Monday after UCLA’s loss at Oregon last weekend.

Washington State (14-2) is having an unexpected stretch, and the quick start has the Cougars tied for 22nd in the poll, their first ranking since a one-week stint in February 1983.

North Carolina received 64 first-place votes and 1,788 points to easily outdistance No. 2 Florida (14-2), which had three No. 1 votes and 1,682 points in moving up one spot from last week. Wisconsin (15-1) received one first-place vote and moved from fourth to third, while UCLA dropped from first to fourth.

*

C.J. Giles, who was dismissed from Kansas’ basketball team in November after a student said he dragged her from his apartment by her feet and hit her, has joined the Oregon State program, Beavers Coach Jay John said.

Giles will sit out this season under NCAA transfer rules and will have two years of eligibility remaining.

*

Rashaun Broadus of Brigham Young was suspended for the season after being arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in Provo, Utah. He was stopped by police early Sunday, hours after scoring 19 points to lead the Cougars over San Diego State in his best game of the season.

*

South Carolina Coach Dave Odom received a two-year contract extension that will keep him with the Gamecocks through the 2009-10 season.... Kansas State freshman Bill Walker will have surgery on his left knee and be out for the rest of the season.