TUCSON, Ariz. – For the second consecutive season, the University of Arizona men's basketball team will open the season with a top-25 ranking.
Arizona was ranked 11th in the preseason 2012-13 ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll released today, receiving a total of 411 votes, marking Arizona's highest appearance in the preseason national rankings since 2006-07 when both the Associated Press and the coaches' poll ranked UA 10th to open the season.
Since the start of the 1987-88 campaign, Arizona has been ranked in 22 of 26 preseason coaches' poll in that period with the only exceptions coming in 2001-02, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11.
UA garnered a No. 16 preseason ranking from the coaches a year ago.
The Wildcats open 2012-13 with the annual McDonald's Red-Blue Game on Sunday, Oct. 21, at 2 p.m. PDT in McKale Center. The regular season opener vs. Charleston Southern is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 11, at 4 p.m.
ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll
Preseason, Oct. 17, 2012
Rnk Team Points Last
1. Indiana (21) 761 13
2. Louisville (5) 738 4
3. Kentucky (5) 718 1
4. Ohio State 617 3
5. Michigan 605 22
6. North Carolina St. 581 20
7. Kansas 563 2
8. Duke 516 14
9. Syracuse 502 5
10. Florida 422 9
11. ARIZONA 411 NR
12. North Carolina 401 6
13. UCLA 396 NR
14. Michigan State 391 7
15. Creighton 325 21
16. Memphis 307 NR
17. Missouri 289 11
18. Baylor 266 8
19. UNLV 203 NR
20. San Diego State 196 NR
21. Wisconsin 191 12
22. Gonzaga 166 NR
23. Notre Dame 122 NR
24. Florida State 61 15
Texas 61 NR
