UNC back in coaches' poll; Ohio St. No. 1

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North Carolina is back in the ESPN/USA Today coaches' Top 25.

The Tar Heels (17-5, 7-1 ACC), who have won nine of their last 10 games and five in a row, entered this week's coaches' poll at No. 21. They rejoined the Top 25 just in time for an ACC first-place showdown with their archrival, No. 5 Duke, on Wednesday night on ESPN.

The top five teams in the ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll:

North Carolina was ranked No. 9 in the preseason, but fell to No. 25 on Nov. 22 after losses to Minnesota and Vanderbilt -- and out of the poll completely the following week.

At the top of the poll, the top five remained unchanged. Undefeated Ohio State is still the unanimous choice as No. 1, followed by Kansas, Texas, Pittsburgh and Duke.

North Carolina-Duke isn't the only regional rivalry being renewed this week. On Monday night, the Jayhawks host No. 20 Missouri, while Pitt travels to West Virginia. Both games are on ESPN.

One-loss San Diego State remained at No. 6, while Notre Dame continued its charge up the rankings, climbing one place to No. 7. BYU is ranked No. 8, followed by Connecticut and Villanova.

The Fighting Irish, now winners of five in a row, host No. 15 Louisville on Wednesday night.

Arizona was among the biggest climbers. The Wildcats, winners of eight of their last 10 and five in a row, jumped six spots to No. 16.

Kentucky fell seven spots to No. 18 after losses to Mississippi and No. 19 Florida.

Saint Mary's rejoined the poll at No. 23, while previous No. 19 Washington and No. 24 Illinois fell out of the rankings.

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