Where Kentucky stands in preseason top 25 basketball polls

Now that the majority of college basketball rosters seem to be set, most media outlets have finalized their preseason top 25 going into the season.

While N’Faly Dante could have bolstered Kentucky’s projections a bit, the Wildcats are still in great shape in each poll.

ESPN lists Kentucky as the No. 3 team in the land, and Jeff Borzello’s top ten is identical to previous versions.

1. Michigan State Spartans
2. Kansas Jayhawks
3. Kentucky Wildcats
4. Florida Gators
5. Louisville Cardinals
6. Duke Blue Devils
7. Gonzaga Bulldogs
8. North Carolina Tar Heels
9. Villanova Wildcats
10. Maryland Terrapins

Gary Parrish of CBS moved Oregon into his top fifteen following Dante’s commitment. And his top ten is fairly shuffled compared to ESPN’s version, although Kentucky is still No. 3.

1. Michigan State Spartans
2. Duke Blue Devils
3. Kentucky Wildcats
4. Louisville Cardinals
5. Kansas Jayhawks
6. Maryland Terrapins
7. Memphis Tigers
8. North Carolina Tar Heels
9. Florida Gators
10. Virginia Cavaliers

Basketball insider Jon Rothstein certainly has his own opinion, keeping Kentucky at No. 3 but not ranking them ahead of rival Louisville. He also gives Oregon the biggest bump of all.

1. Michigan State Spartans
2. Louisville Cardinals
3. Kentucky Wildcats
4. Kansas Jayhawks
5. Duke Blue Devils
6. Maryland Terrapins
7. Florida Gators
8. Oregon Ducks
9. North Carolina Tar Heels
10. Virginia Cavaliers

Rob Dauster of NBC Sports gives Kentucky more credit than other outlets, putting them at No. 2. He also has the only ranking with Texas Tech in the top ten.

1. Michigan State Spartans
2. Kentucky Wildcats
3. Duke Blue Devils
4. Kansas Jayhawks
5. Villanova Wildcats
6. Louisville Cardinals
7. Maryland Terrapins
8. Virginia Cavaliers
9. Texas Tech Red Raiders
10. Florida Gators

The Wildcats certainly have high expectations heading into the 2019-2020 season. But, as we all know, the final poll is the only one that matters.