Cougars Achieve Highest Ranking Since 1987-88

PROVO -- In the NCAA men’s basketball rankings released on Monday, Jan. 11, BYU has achieved its highest rankings since 1987-88, coming in at No. 18 in the AP and No. 17 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Top 25 Polls.

The Cougars entered the polls for the first time this season last week on Monday, Jan. 4, at No. 25 in the AP Poll and No. 23 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. BYU secured wins over conference foe UNLV at home on Jan. 6 and at UTEP on Jan. 9 to maintain their 11-game winning streak, improve to 16-1 overall and move up in the rankings.

In 1987-88, BYU climbed to No. 2 in the UPI Coaches Poll and No. 3 in the AP after a 17-0 start—the best start in program history. The Cougars finished the season No. 19 in the AP and No. 17 in the UPI that season.

Under Rose, the Cougars have been ranked in the Top 25 in four-straight seasons. In 2007-08, Rose led BYU to a No. 20 ranking in the AP Poll and No. 21 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll.