Purdue is No. 1 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll, earning 35 of 61 first-place votes.
Houston is ranked No. 2 with 16 first-place votes, matching their best-ever preseason ranking.
Florida is No. 3 with eight first-place votes, their highest preseason ranking since 2006-07.
UConn is ranked No. 4, receiving the remaining two first-place votes.
St. John's is ranked No. 5, surpassing their previous best of No. 7 in 1984-85.
The Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC each have six ranked teams, making up 72% of the poll.
Why this matters: Purdue's top ranking signifies high expectations for the season. The strong representation of the Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC highlights the competitive landscape of college basketball.
Purdue's rise to the top is a testament to Coach Matt Painter's successful program. With key players like Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn returning, the Boilermakers are poised for a strong season. However, history shows that preseason No. 1 teams often face challenges in meeting expectations.
Houston, led by Kelvin Sampson, aims to build on last season's success. Florida, despite losing key players, remains a strong contender with a solid foundation. The SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12 are power conferences to watch this season.
Quick Transitions: Louisville is back among the national elite, with the Cardinals checking in at No. 11 after a 27-win season. Kansas checked in at No. 19, the lowest preseason rank for Bill Self's Jayhawks since starting at No. 24 in the 2008-09 season.
Q: Has Purdue ever been ranked No. 1 before?
Purdue had never been ranked No. 1 in any AP poll before the 2021-22 season.
Q: Which conferences are the strongest this year?
The Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC each have six ranked teams in the preseason AP Top 25 poll.
Purdue's No. 1 ranking brings high expectations for the team.
The Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC are the conferences to watch this season.
Preseason rankings don't always guarantee success in the NCAA Tournament.
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