AP Top 25 rankings have placed Kansas at the forefront of the preseason men’s college basketball poll, securing the No. 1 position on 30 out of 60 ballots cast by a national media panel. This early recognition positions them ahead of formidable competitors like Alabama and UConn, the latter being the reigning national champions.
The Jayhawks’ strong showing in the poll highlights their potential for the upcoming season. Alabama, featuring standout players such as All-American guard Mark Sears and star forward Jarin Stevenson, garnered 14 first-place votes. Meanwhile, UConn, aiming to achieve a historic third consecutive championship, received 11 votes, placing them third in the rankings.
Houston claimed four first-place votes, securing the fourth spot, while Iowa State, which returns its top four scorers from a previous No. 2 seed team, rounds out the top five. Gonzaga follows closely in sixth with one first-place vote.
Duke, featuring consensus No. 1 recruit Cooper Flagg, holds the seventh position, just ahead of Baylor, North Carolina, and Arizona, which complete the top ten.
Kansas faced challenges last season despite being preseason No. 1, struggling with injuries and ultimately being eliminated early in both the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments. Coach Bill Self expressed optimism about this season, stating, “We welcome being No. 1, especially with our returning players like Hunter, Dajuan, and KJ, along with our new recruits. The goal is to be No. 1 at the end of the season, and though we welcome this, it is not the end goal.”
The Big 12 has undergone changes, losing Oklahoma and Texas but welcoming teams like Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado. This reshaped conference now boasts three teams in the top five and five in the top ten of the preseason AP poll, showcasing its competitive nature. The SEC leads all conferences with nine teams in the Top 25.
Coach Self commented on the league’s competitiveness, stating, “To have three Big 12 teams in the top five and five in the top 10 just shows how competitive this league will be. Every year we talk about the Big 12 being the toughest conference in the nation, and with the four additions, it became even stronger.”
Auburn, Tennessee, and Texas A&M begin the second tier of rankings at No. 11, followed by Purdue and Creighton. Arkansas, under the guidance of John Calipari, is ranked No. 16, with Indiana, Marquette, Texas, and Cincinnati—making its first appearance in the poll since 2019—filling out the top 20.
Purdue aims for its third consecutive Big Ten title after losing AP Player of the Year Zach Edey. Coach Matt Painter expressed enthusiasm about his team, saying, “We have three starters back from a Final Four team. We have five freshmen and a lot of experienced players outside of those three starters. We’re excited about this group.”
The preseason Top 25 is rounded out by Florida, UCLA, Kentucky, Ole Miss, and Rutgers, with the latter celebrating its first preseason ranking since 1978. Coach Steve Pikiell shared his excitement, stating, “We always had high expectations, and now in a league with 18 teams, people are asking, ‘How good are you?’” He acknowledged the uncertainty of their standing but expressed confidence in their potential.
Illinois leads the teams receiving votes after reaching the Elite Eight, while Rick Pitino’s St. John’s is also in the conversation, along with Xavier, Texas Tech, and Wake Forest. The first regular-season poll will be released on November 11.
Notably, four schools that have never made it into the Top 25 received preseason votes, with McNeese State leading the charge after returning to the NCAA Tournament last season. Little Rock, Grand Canyon, and High Point also garnered attention.
Here’s the full top 25:
1. Kansas
2. Alabama
3. UConn
4. Houston
5. Iowa State
6. Gonzaga
7. Duke
8. Baylor
9. North Carolina
10. Arizona
11. Auburn
12. Tennessee
13. Texas A&M
14. Purdue
15. Creighton
16. Arkansas
17. Indiana
18. Marquette
19. Texas
20. Cincinnati
21. Florida
22. UCLA
23. Kentucky
24. Ole Miss
25. Rutgers
