College Basketball Rankings: Illini Fall To No. 25 In AP Poll

The latest AP Poll rankings have the Illinois Fighting Illini (10-1) at No. 25, falling six spots from the No. 19 position after their loss on Saturday to the UNLV Runnin' Rebels. The Illini, who were ranked 44th in the Preseason AP Polls, rocketed into the national spotlight after their 10-0 start, but the 48-64 loss to an unranked UNLV team (now ranked No. 21) has hurt their AP Poll and Coaches Poll standings.

Elsewhere in the Big Ten Conference, the Ohio State Buckeyes (10-1) retained their No. 2 standings while the No. 19 Michigan St. Spartans (9-2) and No. 20 Michigan Wolverines (9-2) rounded out the Top 20. The Spartans, ranked No. 21 last week, leapfrogged their in-state rivals, the Wolverines, who remained at No. 20.

The Illini will need to play excellent basketball in order to fend off the Harvard Crimson (8-1) who sit at No. 26 in the AP Poll with 88 points to the Illini's 96.

For more breaking news and updates on the 2011 College Basketball Rankings, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago or drop by SB Nation's College Basketball hub.