Poll watch: After Virginia loses, Gonzaga climbs up to number two

The Gonzaga Bulldogs moved up one spot to No. 2 in both the latest top-25 rankings from the AP and the coaches.

But in this harsh reality of poll watching and ranking, a loss at the top, even if it is a loss to a top-five team, is enough to send the mighty tumbling. Those that keep on winning the games just rise to the top.

The Bulldogs had the opportunity to rise up one spot thanks to a Virginia loss at home against Duke, a loss that also turned the Kentucky Wildcats into the only unbeaten team in the nation. Virginia wasn't the only casualty in the top-10, however. A couple of days after beating Duke, Notre Dame went on the road to Pittsburgh and lost.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs kept on charging. Gonzaga dispatched Portland and then had its way with the Memphis Tigers last week. Still, the concept of the Bulldogs being ranked No. 2 is brain exploding for some people despite the fact that the Zags have been ranked in the top-five for a healthy chunk of the season now.

On any given day, the Bulldogs can definitely hang with the best of the best. The second-best team in the nation? Maybe, or maybe not. At the end of the day it is just a number.