10 takeaways from the first AP men’s hoops poll

The 2024-25 preseason men’s college basketball Associated Press Top 25 poll was released on Monday.

With a familiar program at the top, a Big East program looking for a three-peat, conference realignment and new-look blue bloods, there is a lot to unpack before the season tips off on Nov. 4.

Here are 10 takeaways from the first AP men’s hoops poll of the season:

Jayhawks ranked No. 1 for second consecutive season

After an injury-plagued 2023-24 season that ended with a second-round loss to Gonzaga in the NCAA Tournament, Kansas returns to the No. 1 spot. Led by All-American center Hunter Dickinson, seniors KJ Adams Jr. and Dajuan Harris Jr., as well as key transfers, the Jayhawks look to rebound from last season’s early exit.

The Big 12 is loaded at the top

With Kansas leading the way, the Big 12 has six teams ranked in the preseason top 25, including half of the top 10. Houston starts the season ranked fourth, followed by the Iowa State Cyclones at No. 5, Baylor at No. 8 and newcomer Arizona at No. 10. Cincinnati is ranked 20th.

UConn eyes a three-peat

The two-time defending national champions come in at the No. 3 spot after losing several key players. Led by junior Alex Karaban, top-10 recruit Liam McNeeley and transfer Aidan Mahaney, the Huskies are trying to become the first school since John Wooden’s UCLA teams from 1971-73 to win three consecutive titles.

Don’t forget about the SEC

Despite having only one team in the top 10, the SEC features the most teams in the poll with nine. Leading the way at No. 2 is Alabama, which returns All-America guards Mark Sears and Jarin Stevenson. The Auburn Tigers begin the season at No. 11, followed by Tennessee (12), Texas A&M (13), John Calipari’s Arkansas Razorbacks (16), newcomer Texas (19), Florida (21), Kentucky (23) and Ole Miss (24).

The experienced Zags lurk at No. 6 

Mark Few and Gonzaga return a veteran group led by seniors Ben Gregg, Graham Ike, Nolan Hickman, Ryan Nembhard and transfer Michael Ajayi. Considering the experience the Bulldogs possess, Gonzaga looks poised to contend once again.

Duke, North Carolina begin season in top 10

The No. 7 Blue Devils are led by the nation’s top recruit, Cooper Flagg, while the ninth-ranked Tar Heels return senior RJ Davis. Per Yardbarker’s Pat Heery, the 6-foot-9 Flagg “looks like a jumbo version of Paul George on the perimeter and still projects to be a menacing help-side rim protector on defense.”

Coach Cal takes over at Arkansas

After early exits from the NCAA Tournament with Kentucky in recent years, John Calipari takes over as the Razorbacks head coach. Coach Cal brought several former Wildcats with him as well as former Kentucky commits Karter Knox, Boogie Fland and Billy Richmond III.

Mark Pope returns to Kentucky

Beginning the season ranked 23rd, Pope has revamped the Wildcats roster. He has an entirely new roster composed of transfers and freshmen. With a nice balance of transfers in Lamont Butler, Jaxson Robinson and Andrew Carr, as well as talented freshmen Collin Chandler, Trent Noah, and Travis Perry, Pope looks to take Kentucky back to the top.

Purdue looks for continued success post-Edey

With AP Player of the Year Zach Edey gone the Memphis Grizzlies, Matt Painter and the Boilermakers enter the season at No. 14. The roster includes key returnees including Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer.

Rutgers returns to the poll

For the first time since 1978, Rutgers is ranked in the preseason poll. Head coach Steve Pikiell brought in two top-five recruits Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper to go along with key returner Jeremiah Williams. The No. 2 prospect Bailey impressed during his senior year of high school, averaging 33.4 points, 15.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.9 blocks while the fourth-ranked prospect Harper averaged 23 points during his senior year and was the first Rutgers player named McDonald’s All-American MVP.