Kentucky, UNC tied for No. 1 in preseason Coaches Poll

Kentucky and North Carolina tied for No. 1 in the first USA Today coaches poll of the season that was released on Thursday.

Both teams had 749 points, although the Tar Heels picked up 12 first-place votes while Kentucky had 11.

The Wildcats enter the season No.1 for the third consecutive year. Kentucky lost to Wisconsin 71–64 in the Final Four on April 4.

North Carolina fell to Wisconsin 79–72 in the round of 16 in last season’s NCAA Tournament.

Maryland, who received five first-place votes, took the third spot. Defending NCAA Champion Duke came in at No. 4.

The Kansas Jayhawks are ranked fifth, with one first place vote.

The Big 12 and Big Ten have the most representation, as each conference has five schools in the Top 25. The ACC has four schools, with Virginia coming in at No. 6, while the Pac-12 and SEC have three teams.

The Complete Coaches Poll

1. Kentucky

2. North Carolina

3. Maryland

4. Duke

5. Kansas

6. Virginia

7. Iowa State

8. Oklahoma

9. Villanova

10. Arizona

11. Gonzaga

12. Wichita State

13. Michigan State

14. California

15. Indiana

16. Utah

17. Wisconsin

18. Notre Dame

19. LSU

20. Vanderbilt

21. Baylor

22. Butler

23. West Virginia

24. Purdue

24. UConn