NCAA

Purdue Peaks in the Polls

Photo: Justin Casterline / Getty Images

Purdue Boilermakers Claim First No. 1 Ranking in Program History

There’s a new number one in college basketball. Purdue (8-0) surged to No. 1 following wins over Florida State and Iowa last week. The Boilermakers have never held the top spot in the AP Poll despite their claim for the most Big Ten regular-season titles (24). Baylor (2) and UCLA (4) also climbed in the top-5 with another Gonzaga loss.

Men’s AP Poll

1. Purdue (8-0) | ↑1

2. Baylor (8-0) | ↑2

3. Duke (7-1) | ↓2

4. UCLA (8-1) | ↑1

5. Gonzaga (7-2) | ↓2

6. Villanova (6-2) | —

7. Texas (6-1) | —

8. Kansas (6-1) | —

9. Alabama (7-1) | ↑7

10. Kentucky (6-1) | ↓1

Full AP Top-25

Women’s AP Poll

1. South Carolina (9-0) | —

2. NC State (8-1) | —

3. UConn (5-1) | —

4. Stanford (5-2) | —

5. Baylor (8-1) | —

6. Arizona (7-0) | ↑1

7. Louisville (7-1) | ↑3

8. Maryland (8-2) | —

9. Tennessee (8-0) | ↑2

10. Indiana (5-2) | ↓4

Full AP Top-25

Additional Storylines

CBS Sports: Purdue is No. 1 in AP Poll for First Time in History

NCAA: 8 Men’s College Basketball Programs That Have Surprisingly Never Been Ranked No. 1

NFL

Pats Prevail in AFC Showdown

Photo: Bryan M. Bennett / Getty Images

Patriots def. Bills (14-10) for 7th Straight Win Take Top Spot in AFC

A windy night in Buffalo and a rushing clinic for the Patriots. The Pats and Bills met on Monday night for AFC supremacy, and New England made NFL history with a bizarre plan of attack on offense. QB Mac Jones threw just three passes in the snow (2/3, 19 yards) while the Patriots ran the ball 46 times for 222 yards to avoid the windy conditions. The game saw just two field goals in the second half. Buffalo missed a field goal before an empty red zone trip down the stretch as the Pats’ defense held strong. One of the most bizarre offensive games of the season lifted the Patriots — once 2-4 to start the season — to 9-4 atop the AFC standings.

Watch: Pats Beat Bills in Snowy Monday Night Football Showdown (14-10)

AFC East Standings

Patriots (9-4)

Bills (7-5)

Dolphins (6-7)

Jets (3-9)

Additional Storylines

ESPN: Playoff Picture: Patriots Jump to 1st in AFC, Bills Fall to 7th

CBS Sports: Pats Go Heavy on the Run Game to Grind Past Buffalo for 7th in a Row

NBA

5 Stars: Embiid Powers Sixers

Photo: Adam Glanzman / Getty Images

Joel Embiid (43 Points) Lifts Philly Over Charlotte (127-124, OT)

A full slate of NBA action on Monday brought a showdown in Charlotte between the 76ers and Hornets where Joel Embiid stole the night (127-124, OT). Embiid had 43 points on a 75-percent shooting performance alongside 15 boards and 7 assists. Philly (13-11) has now won three of its last four after a rough stretch in November.

Watch: Embiid Erupts for 43 in Sixers Win

5 Stars of the Night

K. Oubre Jr. (CHA): 35 points

B. Beal (WAS): 34 points, 4 assists

K. Towns (MIN): 31 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists

S. Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC): 30 points, 13 assists

N. Jokic (DEN): 17 points, 12 rebounds, 15 assists

All NBA Scores & Highlights

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