Michigan State Edges Out Kentucky Atop Preseason NCAA Basketball Coaches Poll
By Parker White
College basketball is right around the corner, so now is the time to sink our teeth into all the preseason polls that aim to tell us whom and what to watch for in the upcoming season.
Leading the first coaches poll are the Michigan State Spartans, who were also ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll, edging out the Kentucky Wildcats. Rounding out the top five are the Kansas Jayhawks, Duke Blue Devils and Louisville Cardinals.
11. North Carolina
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) October 24, 2019
12. Texas Tech
13. Seton Hall
14. Oregon
15. Memphis
16. Ohio State
17. Arizona
18. Baylor
19. Utah State
20. Saint Mary’s
21. Xavier
22. Purdue
23. Auburn
24. LSU
25. Tennessee
Unlike most of the big-time programs like Kentucky or Duke that have embraced one-and-done life, Michigan State will be led by a veteran backcourt commanded by senior Cassius Winston, the only consensus preseason All-American this season, and fellow senior Joshua Langford.
The Spartans might not get all the attention when it comes to recruiting, but Tom Izzo's upcoming squad should make some serious noise in the Big Ten and beyond.
Which teams are flying under the radar?@TheAndyKatz picked out 11. ?
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) October 24, 2019
? Wichita State
? Syracuse
? Ole Miss
? South Florida
? Colgate
? New Mexico
? UTSA
? Oregon State
? Pepperdine
? Bradley
? St. Bonaventure
? https://t.co/dDxVjh9isF pic.twitter.com/rLQvE91dkF
Notably, the defending national champion UVA Cavaliers rank ninth, with fellow ACC powerhouse North Carolina in the 11th spot.