UCLA, Kentucky, UConn get mid-major treatment in Top 25 poll

Big basketball schools are finding out the life of a mid-major.

Reputations, it seems, do not mean as much in college basketball these days. All you have to do is look at the USA Today/Coaches Poll.

Among the last nine teams in “others receiving votes” group are five that have combined to win 28 national titles: UCLA (11), Kentucky (eight), North Carolina (five), Connecticut (three) and California (one).

All five of those teams have at least 18 victories, yet can’t crack the Top 25 despite their pedigree.

Meanwhile, St. Mary’s checks in at No. 23, with a 24-5 record bloated by victories over Sonoma State, Drexel and Eastern Washington.

Of course, St. Mary’s did rout Cal Poly, 86-68. UCLA saw Cal Poly make Pauley Pavilion “Poly” Pavilion in a 70-68 loss to the Mustangs.

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