The first AP Top 25 Poll is out

With the 2020-21 college basketball season beginning in two weeks, the first AP Top 25 Poll has been released.

A bit surprisingly, the Kentucky Wildcats came in down at No. 10. Kentucky had been projected higher in several preseason rankings, including No. 5 overall by ESPN, so it’s a small surprise to see the Cats barely crack the top 10.

Thankfully, this really means nothing at all, especially when it comes to making a deep run in March (or whenever the NCAA Tournament is this season).

This marks the 11th time in John Calipari’s 12 seasons that the Wildcats begin the season ranked in the top 10.

In the SEC, Tennessee (12) is the only other team in the preseason poll. LSU, Florida and Alabama did receive a lot of votes.

Kansas, who Kentucky faces in the Champions Classis, begins the season at No. 6.

Texas, who will come to Rupp Arena for the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, open the year at No. 19.

UCLA, who Kentucky faces in the CBS Sports Classic, checks in at No. 22.

College Basketball AP Top 25 Poll

1 - Gonzaga Bulldogs

2 - Baylor Bears

3 - Villanova Wildcats

4 - Virginia Cavaliers

5 - Iowa Hawkeyes

6 - Kansas Jayhawks

7 - Wisconsin Badgers

8 - Illinois Fighting Illini

9 - Duke Blue Devils

10 - Kentucky Wildcats

11 - Creighton Bluejays

12 - Tennessee Volunteers

13 - Michigan State Spartans

14 - Texas Tech Red Raiders

15 - West Virginia Mountaineers

16 - North Carolina Tar Heels

17 - Houston Cougars

18 - Arizona State Sun Devils

19 - Texas Longhorns

20 - Oregon Ducks

21 - Florida State Seminoles

22 - UCLA Bruins

23 - Ohio State Buckeyes

24 - Rutgers Scarlet Knights

25 - Michigan Wolverines

Others Receiving Votes: LSU 146, Memphis 69, Florida 69, Alabama 50, Indiana 48, Louisville 41, Richmond 40, Stanford 14, Providence 9, Saint Louis 8, Auburn 8, San Diego St. 6, UConn 6, BYU 4, Loyola of Chicago 3, Seton Hall 2, UNC Greensboro 1, N Iowa 1.

Where do you think the Cats should be ranked to open the season?