The Associated Press released its preseason poll for NCAA basketball today, and the Michigan State Spartans enter the season as the No. 10 team in the nation.
It's back! Restocked Kansas is No. 1 in preseason AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll, ahead of Kentucky, Gonzaga, Duke, Virginia. See the full poll here: https://t.co/zRMwd70u1Q pic.twitter.com/63YDfjI8Px
— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) October 22, 2018
Despite losing two lottery picks in Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson Jr., the Spartans field a very strong team — and the AP seems to agree, given the high ranking — led by juniors Cassius Winston, Nick Ward and Joshua Langford. Several role players such as Matt McQuaid, Kenny Goins and Xavier Tillman all return as well. MSU also boasts a very talented five-player freshman class.
Unsurprisingly, Kansas — who Michigan State opens the season with — took the No. 1 ranking. Kentucky, Gonzaga, Duke and Virginia round out the Top-five. The Spartans also take on Gonzaga in a closed scrimmage this Saturday in Minneapolis.
Michigan State is the highest ranked team from the Big Ten in the preseason poll. The conference only has three teams in the preseason poll, as Michigan (19) and Purdue (24) were included on this list.
This is good news for MSU fans still recovering from the football loss to Michigan. Hey, basketball season is only 15 days away!