The Kansas men’s basketball team received a preseason ranking of No. 17 in the AP Top 25 poll released on Monday morning.
That is higher than its starting point of No. 19 from last season, but otherwise lower than at any point since 2008, when it opened the year ranked No. 24.
The Jayhawks were recently picked to finish third in the Big 12, with Tyran Stokes named the league’s freshman of the year and an all-conference selection. This year’s team features the top recruit Stokes along with a supporting cast that includes highly touted players like fellow freshman Taylen Kinney and transfers such as Leroy Blyden Jr. and Keanu Dawes.
The Jayhawks also recently added two KU standouts from last season in Melvin Council Jr. and Tre White, as well as, on Monday morning, former Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn, after all three players earned additional eligibility in the courts. It’s not clear how far in advance of the poll’s release its voters submitted their rankings.
In any case, the preseason ranking highlights some of the more difficult matchups on the Jayhawks’ schedule. The Big 12 includes teams ranked at No. 5 (Arizona), No. 10 (Houston), No. 18 (Iowa State), No. 19 (Texas Tech) and No. 25 (BYU).
Preseason No. 1 Florida is a potential opponent for KU in the Players Era tournament in November. No. 2 Duke will visit Allen Fieldhouse for an exhibition on Sunday. The Jayhawks face No. 4 UConn on the road on Dec. 12. No. 11 Louisville, featuring former KU standout Flory Bidunga, comes to Lawrence on Wednesday for another exhibition. And No. 23 Kentucky is the Jayhawks’ opponent in the Champions Classic in Chicago on Nov. 10.
Missouri was the first team out of the top 25, and fellow KU opponents Ohio State, TCU and (possibly, in the Players Era) Auburn also received votes.
The Jayhawks defeated Division II Pittsburg State 80-62 in their first exhibition on Friday and will host Louisville on Wednesday at 6 p.m. That game will be televised on ESPNU.
FULL TOP 25
1. Florida
2. Duke
3. Illinois
4. UConn
5. Arizona
6. Michigan State
7. Texas
8. Tennessee
9. Virginia
10. Houston
11. Louisville
12. Arkansas
13. St. John’s
14. Miami
15. Gonzaga
16. Michigan
17. Kansas
18. Iowa State
19. Texas Tech
20. Alabama
21. USC
22. UCLA
23. Kentucky
24. Vanderbilt
25. BYU
