Kentucky will begin the 2023-24 season ranked, but just outside the Top 15. The Preseason AP College Basketball Poll just dropped and the Cats are No. 16, just behind Arkansas and Texas A&M. Kansas is No. 1 in the poll, followed by Duke, Purdue, Michigan State, and Marquette. Defending national champs UConn is No. 6.
Five SEC teams are ranked: Tennessee (No. 9), Arkansas (No. 14), Texas A&M (No. 15), Kentucky (No. 16), and Alabama (No. 24). Auburn, Mississippi State, Missouri, and Florida also received votes.
Check it out below.
| RANK | TEAM | POINTS |
| 1 | Kansas | 1548 (46) |
| 2 | Duke | 1466 (11) |
| 3 | Purdue | 1436 (3) |
| 4 | Michigan State | 1346 (1) |
| 5 | Marquette | 1283 (0) |
| 6 | UConn | 1243 (2) |
| 7 | Houston | 1117 (0) |
| 8 | Creighton | 1099 |
| 9 | Tennessee | 1032 |
| 10 | Florida Atlantic | 1011 |
| 11 | Gonzaga | 830 |
| 12 | Arizona | 776 |
| 13 | Miami (FL) | 750 |
| 14 | Arkansas | 685 |
| 15 | Texas A&M | 597 |
| 16 | Kentucky | 530 |
| 17 | San Diego State | 529 |
| 18 | Texas | 493 |
| 19 | North Carolina | 474 |
| 20 | Baylor | 431 |
| 21 | USC | 427 |
| 22 | Villanova | 395 |
| 23 | Saint Mary’s | 335 |
| 24 | Alabama | 163 |
| 25 | Illinois | 104 |
Others Receiving Votes: Wisconsin 53, Colorado 49, UCLA 47, St.