WVU lands at No. 13 in AP Preseason Top 25 Poll

For the third year in a row, the West Virginia men’s basketball team starts the season ranked in the AP Preseason Top 25 Poll. This year, the team starts at No. 13. This is fifth time WVU has been ranked in the preseason poll, and the third time under Bob Huggins.

The Mountaineers finished the 2017-2018 season ranked No. 15, with a 26-11 record (11-7 Big 12), and runs to the Big 12 title game and the NCAA Sweet 16. The season ended with a loss to eventual champions Villanova. However, the team lost offensive and defensive leaders Jevon Carter and Daxter Miles Jr.

This season, WVU has been picked to finish third in the Big 12 coaches poll, behind Kansas and Kansas State. The Mountaineers have put themselves in the conference title game three years in row.

Three other Big 12 schools are ranked in the preseason top 25. Kansas is the top dog for just the third time in school history. Kansas State is No. 12, a team with high expectations for this season. At No. 23 is TCU, as Jamie Dixon continues to build a reputable program in Fort Worth.

Texas Tech (6) and Texas (5) also received votes in the poll.

The question is: does this ranking “fit” the expectations of the 2018-2019 WVU basketball team?