The MSU men's basketball team will open the season next week as one of the top 10 teams in the country.

The Associated Press preseason poll, released Monday, has the Spartans ranked No. 9. Arizona was awarded the top spot with 50 first-place votes.

Last season MSU finished 19-12, which included a fifth consecutive visit to the NCAA Tournament.

MSU will compete against four preseason-ranked opponents this season, including No. 3 Oklahoma and No. 17 Kentucky.

The Spartans will play an exhibition game against the Nike Elite team at 7 p.m. Thursday at Breslin Center before opening the season at home against UNC Asheville at 7 p.m. Nov. 22.