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The Missouri Tigers (18-1), who spent the beginning of the 2011-2012 college basketball season easing up from the twenties in most power rankings, have now established themselves as one of the top basketball teams in the game.
With an 18-1 record -- their lone loss a 59-75 drubbing at the hands of the No. 22 Kansas St. Wildcats -- the Mizzou basketball team has been near flawless this season. The latest AP Poll ranking has the Tigers at No. 2 after the Syracuse Orange (20-1) drop from the top spot to No. 3.
The Tigers should be able to build on their impressive record this week as they face two struggling Big 12 teams in the Oklahoma St. Cowboys (9-10) and the Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-11).
Here's a look at how the AP Poll Top 10 shakes out this week:
| Rank | Team (1st-place votes) | Record | Previous |
| 1 | Kentucky (61) | 19-1 | 2 |
| 2 | Missouri (2) | 18-1 | 5 |
| 3 | Syracuse (2) | 20-1 | 1 |
| 4 | Ohio State | 17-3 | 6 |
| 5 | Kansas | 16-3 | 7 |
| 6 | Baylor | 17-2 | 3 |
| 7 | North Carolina | 16-3 | 8 |
| 8 | Duke | 16-3 | 10 |
| 9 | Georgetown | 16-3 | 10 |
| 10 | Michigan State | 16-4 | 9 |
For more breaking news and updates on the 2011 College Basketball Rankings, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis or drop by SB Nation's College Basketball hub. Get more info and analysis on the Missouri Tigers at Rock M Nation.