Purdue basketball moves to No. 2 in latest poll; Duke new No. 1

Purdue head coach Matt Painter watches a three point shot from the bench with Purdue center Zach Edey (15) and Purdue guard Ethan Morton (25) during the second half of an NCAA men's basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette.
Purdue head coach Matt Painter watches a three point shot from the bench with Purdue center Zach Edey (15) and Purdue guard Ethan Morton (25) during the second half of an NCAA men's basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette.

WEST LAFAYETTE - That coveted No. 1 ranking continues to elude the Purdue basketball program.

With a chance to move into the top spot following last week's upsets, the Boilermakers are ranked No. 2 in this week's AP poll. It's the highest ranking for the program since the 1987-88 season.

Purdue also spent three weeks at No. 2 during the 1986-87 season.

Duke is the new No. 1, taking over for Gonzaga, which lost to the Blue Devils last weekend. The Zags dropped to No. 3. Duke, which also has a neutral-court win over Kentucky, jumped from No. 5 to the top spot.

The Boilermakers received nine first-place votes. The Blue Devils received 51 first-place votes. Baylor and UCLA round out the top five. Purdue is also ranked No. 2 in the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll.

The Boilermakers haven't been ranked No. 1 in the writer's poll or the coaches weekly rankings.

The Boilermakers host Florida State in Tuesday's Big Ten/ACC matchup and open the Big Ten season on Friday against Iowa at Mackey Arena.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue basketball moves to No. 2 in latest poll; Duke new No. 1