Duke, Michigan lead coaches' poll

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MCLEAN, Va., Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Duke remains just short of being a unanimous choice as No. 1 in the USA Today Coaches' basketball poll with Michigan in a solid No. 2 position.

Duke (11-0) is atop of the poll for a second week. The Blue Devils are first on 30 of the 31 ballots and second on the other. Michigan (12-0) receives the other first place vote and 30 second-place mentions.

They are among four teams -- No. 19 Michigan State and No. 23 Kentucky being the others -- that have unchanged positions from a week ago. Losses by Syracuse (down four spots to seventh) and Illinois (down five to 15th) caused the bulk of the shifts in poll standings.

Louisville (11-1) and Arizona (11-0) are tied for third, while Indiana (11-1) improves to No. 5.

Kansas (10-1) moves to the sixth spot ahead of Syracuse (10-1) with Cincinnati (12-0) and Missouri (10-1) both up three rungs to eighth and ninth, respectively. Ohio State (9-2) slips from No. 7 to 10th.

Florida (8-2), ninth a week ago, comes in 11th while No. 12 Creighton (11-1) and 13th-ranked Gonzaga (11-1) are both up one place. Minnesota (12-1) moves up two to 14th ahead of Illinois (12-1).

San Diego State (11-1) slips a spot to 16th while Nevada-Las Vegas (11-1) is up one to 17th and Georgetown (10-1) moves up three places to 18th. Michigan State (11-2) is again 19th and Notre Dame (12-1) is 20th after a week at 22nd.

Butler (9-2) has the biggest positive move, going to 21st after entering the poll at 25th a week ago. Oklahoma State (10-1) is 22nd with Kentucky (8-3) in at No. 23. No. 24 Pittsburgh (12-1) and 25th-ranked North Carolina State (9-2) were unranked a week ago.

New Mexico and North Carolina drop out of the Top 25 this week.