Despite an off-season of turmoil and NCAA investigations, the University of Kansas Jayhawks are ranked no. 3 in the Associated Press’ preseason men’s college basketball rankings.
The ratings include many household names, with Michigan State and Kentucky coming in ahead of KU. Duke and Louisville round out the top five.
Only two other Big 12 teams - Texas Tech at no. 13 and Baylor at No. 16 - are in the top 25. Last week, KU was predicted to finish first in the conference.
1. Michigan State
2. Kentucky
3. Kansas
4. Duke
5. Louisville
6. Florida
7. Maryland
8. Gonzaga
9. North Carolina
10. Villanova
11. Virginia
12. Seton Hall
13. Texas Tech
14. Memphis
15. Oregon
16. Baylor
17. Utah State
18. Ohio State
19. Xavier
20. Saint Mary’s
21. Arizona
22. LSU
23. Purdue
24. Auburn
25. VCU
The Jayhawks’ 2019-20 season starts with exhibition games against Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State on Oct. 24 and Oct. 31 respectively. The first official game is Nov. 5 against Duke at Madison Square Garden in New York.
