Arizona Wildcats drop from top spot in national polls

Feb 3, 2014, 6:29 PM | Updated: 6:29 pm

Arizona’s run as the number one team in the nation has come to an end.

The Wildcats (21-1, 8-1) fell to number 2 in the Associated Press Poll and number 3 in the USA Today Coaches Poll after suffering their first loss of the season, 60-58 at California.

The top spot in both polls now belongs to undefeated Syracuse, who earned all 65 first place votes in the AP poll and all 32 in the Coaches poll. Fellow undefeated team Wichita State is second in the USA Today poll but third in the AP voting.

Arizona had been ranked number one for eight consecutive weeks.

Of course, the game wasn’t the most significant loss of the night for Arizona, as sophomore forward Brandon Ashley suffered a broken foot early in the first half and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

Ashley is the team’s third-leading scorer with 11.5 points per game while also pulling down 5.8 rebounds per contest.

Up next for the Wildcats is a pair of home games against the Oregon schools, staring with the Ducks Thursday night at McKale Center.

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Arizona forward Aaron Gordon (11) shoots over California forward David Kravish (45) during the first half on an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Arizona forward Aaron Gordon (11) shoots over California guards Tyrone Wallace, left, and Justin Cobbs (1) during the first half on an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

California guard Tyrone Wallace, bottom scrambles for a loose ball against Arizona guard Nick Johnson during the first half on an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Arizona head coach Sean Miller instructs his team against California during the first half on an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Arizona guard T.J. McConnell, left, shoots over California center Kameron Rooks during the first half on an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

California head coach Mike Montgomery argues a call as his team plays Arizona during the first half on an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

California forward Richard Solomon (35) reacts after scoring against Arizona during the first half on an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

California forward David Kravish (45) blocks a shot attempt by Arizona guard Nick Johnson (13) during the first half on an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

California forward Richard Solomon (35) grabs a rebound next to Arizona forward Aaron Gordon (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

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