AP Preseason Basketball Poll

Some college basketball fans argue that March Madness has made the rest of the season meaningless. If a team storms through the season and conference tournament, then loses on the first weekend of the NCAAs, the season is deemed a failure. Conversely, a team that finishes fourth in its league and catches fire in March is considered a big success.

Still, you’ve got to start somewhere, and the road to the Final Four begins with some early handicapping by way of the first Associated Press poll of the year. If the voters are correct, North Carolina (which got all 72 first place votes) will be cutting down the nets after the championship game. But, as many a previous favorite can attest, the road is long, winding, and full of potholes.

Here’s how they’ll break from the gate:

  1. North Carolina
  2. Connecticut
  3. Louisville
  4. UCLA
  5. Pittsburgh
  6. Michigan State
  7. Texas
  8. Duke
  9. Notre Dame
10. Gonzaga
11. Purdue
12. Oklahoma
13. Memphis
14. Tennessee
15. Arizona State
16. Marquette
17. Miami (FL)
18. USC
19. Florida
20. Davidson
21. Wake Forest
22. Georgetown
23. Villanova
24. Kansas
25. Wisconsin