The Associated Press rolled out its preseason top 25 basketball poll.
This year, Izzo and the MSU Spartans clocked in at No. 12 in the poll, right behind Big Ten conference mates Wisconsin and Indiana, ranked at No. 9 and No. 11, respectively.
MSU ranked No. 12 in AP preseason poll
MSU was ranked No. 9 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, a slot above Wisconsin and three above Indiana. However, this poll came before the injury to senior forward Gavin Schilling, which hurt an already weak front court after losing transfer Ben Carter also to injury.
The Spartans will have the chance to go up in the rankings as they play No. 10 Arizona to open the season on Nov. 11, No. 2 Kentucky on Nov. 15 and No. 1 Duke on Nov. 29. The Spartans might also come across No. 13 Louisville on Nov. 25 in the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament.
The AP Preseason Top 25 sees head coach Mike Krzyzewski and his Duke Blue Devils running away with the No. 1 spot as they garnered 58 of the 65 first place votes. Following them is coach John Calipari and Kentucky at No. 2 with two first place votes, Kansas at No. 3, defending NCAA champs Villanova at No. 4 with four first place votes and Oregon at the No. 5 spot with one first place vote.
Here is the full preseason AP Top 25 poll (First place votes in parentheses):
- Duke (58)
- Kentucky (2)
- Kansas
- Villanova (4)
- Oregon (1)
- North Carolina
- Xavier
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Arizona
- Indiana
- MSU
- Louisville
- Gonzaga
- Purdue
- UCLA
- Saint Mary’s
- Connecticut
- Syracuse
- West Virginia
- Texas
- Creighton
- Rhode Island
- Iowa State
- Maryland
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