Illinois up to No. 23 in AP Top 25

Nov. 13—CHAMPAIGN — Illinois turned opening week wins against Eastern Illinois and Oakland into a bump in its ranking in the Associated Press Top 25. A few losses by other ranked teams also helped the Illini (2-0) move up to No. 23 when the latest poll was released late Monday morning.

Illinois will put that ranking on the line with a 7 p.m. Tuesday showdown with No. 4 Marquette. The Gavitt Games matchup with the Golden Eagles is the first of what could be three against top 10 opponents in the first month of the season. The Illini also have games scheduled against No. 10 Florida Atlantic on Dec. 5 in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden and at No. 7 Tennessee on Dec. 9 in Knoxville, Tenn.

Just two other Big Ten teams were ranked in this week's AP Top 25. Purdue received seven first-place votes and moved up one spot to No. 2 behind Kansas. Michigan State slid to No. 18 after losing at home to James Madison in its season opener.