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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Maui champ UCLA jumps to No. 1 in poll

Associated Press

UCLA is No. 1 in The Associated Press college basketball poll, a position it has occupied more than any other school.

The Bruins (4-0) combined their championship at the EA Sports Maui Invitational with losses by No. 1 Florida and No. 2 North Carolina to vault from fifth to the top spot yesterday.

This is UCLA's 129th poll with a No. 1 ranking, 19 more than runner-up Duke. The last time the Bruins were No. 1 was the final poll of the 1994-95 season when they went on to win their record 11th national championship.

"Our players will be excited," UCLA coach Ben Howland said. "I wish it was the last one as opposed to the early poll. We still have a lot to go through."

Florida lost 82-80 in overtime to then-No. 10 Kansas in Las Vegas on Saturday night. North Carolina lost 82-74 to Gonzaga in the semifinals of the NIT Season Tip-Off in New York on Wednesday.

Pittsburgh (6-0) and Ohio State (6-0) each moved up one place to second and third.