The defending national champion Kansas University men’s basketball team was ranked No. 23 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll.
The Jayhawks lost all five starters and six of their top eight scorers from last year’s 37-3 team, including five who were taken in last summer’s NBA draft.
For the second straight season, North Carolina, who lost to Kansas in last year’s Final Four, will begin the year at No. 1. The Tar Heels received all 31 first-place votes.
Following North Carolia in the top 5 is Connecticut, Louisville, UCLA and Duke.
The Jayhawks are one of just three Big 12 teams ranked in the top 25, joining Texas (No. 8) and Oklahoma (No. 14).
ESPN/USA Today Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. North Carolina (31) 0-0 775
2. Connecticut 0-0 707
3. Louisville 0-0 694
4. UCLA 0-0 650
5. Duke 0-0 578
6. Pittsburgh 0-0 576
7. Michigan State 0-0 572
8. Texas 0-0 538
9. Notre Dame 0-0 525
10. Purdue 0-0 465
11. Gonzaga 0-0 437
12. Memphis 0-0 425
13. Tennessee 0-0 408
14. Oklahoma 0-0 387
15. Arizona State 0-0 304
16. Miami (FL) 0-0 233
17. Marquette 0-0 219
18. Georgetown 0-0 175
19. Florida 0-0 161
20. Davidson 0-0 158
21. USC 0-0 153
21. Wisconsin 0-0 153
23. Kansas 0-0 130
24. Wake Forest 0-0 129
25. Villanova 0-0 122
Others Receiving Votes
UNLV 60, Saint Mary’s 59, Ohio State 54, Baylor 47, Xavier 27, Syracuse 23, Texas A&M 19, LSU 19, Arizona 18, Virginia Tech 15, Brigham Young 13, West Virginia 10, Washington 8, Siena 8, Kentucky 7, Vanderbilt 7, Oklahoma State 4, Clemson 2, Washington State 1.