The AP released the preseason men’s basketball top 25 poll for the 2017-2018 season and West Virginia lands just outside the top 10, ranked 11th. This is the third-straight year Bob Huggins and crew have landed in the preseason poll.
Last season, the Mountaineers finished with a 28-9 record, an appearance in the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship game and the Sweet 16. WVU was knocked out by Gonzaga, 61-58. This is the fourth time WVU men’s basketball has been ranked in the AP preseason poll.
Four of WVU’s opponents this season were ranked in the preseason poll. Texas A&M, who WVU faces in the opening game, is ranked No. 25. The SEC/Big 12 Challenge opponent, Kentucky, is ranked fifth. Two other Big 12 members were also ranked: Kansas is No. 4 and Baylor is No. 24.
AP Men’s Basketball 2017-2018 Preseason Top 25
Rank | School | Conference | 2016-2017 Record |
---|---|---|---|
Rank | School | Conference | 2016-2017 Record |
1 | Duke | ACC | 28-9 |
2 | Michigan State | Big Ten | 20-15 |
3 | Arizona | Pac-12 | 32-5 |
4 | Kansas | Big 12 | 31-5 |
5 | Kentucky | SEC | 32-6 |
6 | Villanova | Big East | 32-4 |
7 | Wichita State | American | 31-5 |
8 | Florida | SEC | 27-9 |
9 | North Carolina | ACC | 33-7 |
10 | Southern California | Pac-12 | 26-10 |
11 | West Virginia | BIg 12 | 28-9 |
12 | Cincinnati | American | 30-6 |
13 | Miami (FL) | ACC | 21-12 |
14 | Notre Dame | ACC | 26-10 |
15 | Minnesota | Big Ten | 24-10 |
16 | Louisville | ACC | 25-9 |
17 | Xavier | Big East | 24-14 |
18 | Gonzaga | West Coast | 37-2 |
19 | Northwestern | Big Ten | 24-12 |
20 | Purdue | Big Ten | 27-8 |
21 | UCLA | Pac-12 | 31-5 |
22 | Saint Mary's (Cal) | West Coast | 29-5 |
23 | Seton Hall | Big East | 21-12 |
24 | Baylor | BIg 12 | 27-8 |
25 | Texas A&M | SEC | 16-15 |
WVU opens up its season on Friday, November 10, at 6 p.m. against Texas A&M in Ramstein, Germany, on ESPN.