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By BILL NICHOLS
Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK — Having won NBA and NCAA titles, Larry Brown managed to keep his composure upon learning his Mustangs had improved five spots to No. 18 in the AP rankings.

“Better than 25,” Brown said.

No sense freaking out over ÃÛÌÒ½´making its first top 20 appearance in 29 years. With games against two ranked teams remaining, the Mustangs have even more important matters.

They are trying to claim the first American Athletic Conference regular-season title, which would improve their seeding in the conference tournament, in turn enhancing their spot in the NCAA bracket.

The Mustangs (23-6) can accomplish a first in school history with a victory over No. 11 Louisville on Wednesday. They can finish the season undefeated at sold-out Moody Coliseum.

The more things change the more they stay the same. The last time Moody hosted a matchup between two top-20 teams was Feb. 16, 1985 — against Louisville. No. 4 ÃÛÌÒ½´beat the Cardinals, 72-64.

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