**Kansas Tops Preseason Rankings While Big 12 Teams Dominate Early Polls**

The preseason college basketball rankings are out, and Kansas has emerged as the No. 1 team. The Jayhawks' accumulation of talent is hard to ignore, featuring the retention of key starters Adams, Harris, and Dickinson, as well as a successful dive into the transfer portal. Notable additions include Alabama transfer Griffen, who excels in 3-point shooting, Wisconsin's former top scorer Storr, and Mayo, who offers strong pull-up shooting. The roster is further strengthened by two top-50 freshmen, making Kansas a favorite for the upcoming season.

While Kansas leads the pack, the University of Connecticut aims for a historic achievement by attempting to win three consecutive national titles, a feat not accomplished since the era of John Wooden's UCLA dynasty. Despite losing four of five starters from last year’s team, Dan Hurley's squad remains strong with returning players Alex Karaban, Hassan Diarra, Solomon Ball, and Samson Johnson. Key newcomers Aidan Mahaney, from Saint Mary's, and five-star freshman Liam McNeeley will be instrumental in the Huskies’ campaign. UConn will face a challenging schedule early on, testing their mettle against top-ranked teams in the Maui Invitational and a series of December matchups.

The Big 12 Conference shows its strength with half of its teams ranked in the top 10, including Kansas, Houston, Iowa State, Baylor, and Arizona. Cincinnati also makes an appearance in the Top 25 at No. 20, marking the Bearcats' return to the AP poll for the first time since the 2018-19 season. With nine programs having made last season's NCAA Tournament, it's clear the Big 12 remains a powerhouse in college basketball.

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) also has a significant presence in the preseason poll, with nine of its 16 members ranked. Alabama leads the SEC at No. 2, followed by Auburn at No. 11 and Texas at No. 19. Arkansas, now under John Calipari, opens at No. 16, while Kentucky, with new head coach Mark Pope, sits at No. 23.

Notably, the rankings feature no mid-major or traditional non-power programs within the Top 25, with Gonzaga standing alone as the only ranked team outside the major conferences. McNeese State, which received 11 votes, comes closest to breaking into the rankings after a record-setting season under head coach Will Wade.

With an exciting season ahead, the early rankings set the stage for a competitive year in college basketball, highlighting the depth and talent across the major conferences.