Seeing Kansas basketball at the top of any rankings isn’t the least bit surprising. The Jayhawks have once again been ranked in the top five before the season has began.
College basketball season is oh so close, as indicated by the exhibition game being held at Sprint Center this weekend between the Kansas Jayhawks and Missouri Tigers. While that game is big, it’s a scrimmage and won’t count. Plus, we all know who the real contender is between the two schools and it’s not close.
The Coaches Poll for the preseason is out and Kansas basketball sits at third, just behind Duke and Michigan State and right ahead of Kentucky and Arizona. It’s not shocking for anyone who follows college basketball, as KU has become one of the perennial blue blood powerhouses over the last several decades.
Kansas is the highest ranked Big 12 team, but two others made appearances on the poll. West Virginia was ranked tenth and Baylor came in at 24th. I personally was shocked to see Alabama as the 25th ranked team. This is basketball, right? I had no idea that Alabama was going to compete with the big boys this year.
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There’s a lot of hype surrounding KU’s team this year and for good reason, but Jayhawk fans are anxiously awaiting the day when Bill Self can get his guys back to the National Championship. The last few years have seen Kansas lose prior to that mark, falling in the Elite Eight last year and the year prior and losing in the second rounds in both 2014 and 2015.
The Jayhawks haven’t played in the National Championship since the 2011-2012 season where they fell to Kentucky. It’s time to get back to the top of the mountain and win another championship. The team is coming up on a decade since their last title.
Kansas isn’t the only local school to make the coaches poll, as Wichita State found their way in the top ten. Moving to the AAC will be huge for the Shockers and they could become an even bigger rival for the Jayhawks over these next few years.
Missouri didn’t rank, but did receive votes. Kansas State didn’t make the cut either.
For now, the Kansas Jayhawks sit as the best local college basketball program, but they have to get to the top this year and win it all. Being the third ranked team is nice and all, but it’s time to make something of it.
Rock Chalk Jayhawk!