NCAA Rankings: Michigan No. 1 for the First Time in 20 Yrs Since FAB Five

No one thought University of Michigan Men's Basketball team could do it again. But that has all changed, because for the first time in 20 years, the Michigan Wolverines are No. 1 in the Associated Press' college basketball poll.

The Wolverines (19-1) landed 51 first-place votes, ahead of Kansas (18-1), which received 13-first place votes. Indiana, Florida and Duke finished out the top five.

Head coach John Beilein has taken the modest route, putting the least amount of pressure on his players, but did confess that he received a few text messages on his phone.

"Our goal at Michigan is to be No. 1 in the Big Ten. When you achieve that honor, you will have a chance at the national championship.

"All through the year, polls will spark great interest among college basketball fans everywhere and that sis always good. Our coaches and players, however, will remain focused on our goals of improving daily and competing for the championship within our conference."

In a huge 74-60 victory at Illinois on Sunday night, Trey Burke managed to score 19 points, helping his team manage a lead in the entire game.  

Michigan has indeed come a long way. In 2011, the team was poorly ranked ninth in the Big Ten standings. 

The team's athletic director, David Brandon (who seems to be doing the most celebrating), has seen the team struggle throughout the years.

"The No.1 ranking, I know it means a lot to our fans," Brandon said. "It really kind of represents a level of accomplishment we haven't seen in the program for a long time. From the number of emails, calls, tweets, it's very apparent our fans are happy Michigan is in the national conversation in men's basketball. Because it's been a while coming."

A while is right. The Wolverines only hold one National Championship, dated back in 1989.

Although the team is widely recognized for "The Fab Five" class of Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Jimmy Rose and Ray Jackson, which made it to the Final Four in 1993, they never finished the job.

Jalen Rose told ESPN, "I'm very happy that Michigan Wolverines are ranked No. 1. Congratulations to John Beilen and his staff."

Hopefully this time around, Coach Beilein can take his team all the way.

"What I'd like to see is what we've already seen," Beilein said. "That they're on a mission to be the best that this team can possibly be."