AP preseason Top 25 2025-10-13

AP NCAA Men’s Basketball preseason Top 25

I like this.

Especially after the last two seasons of preseason #1 rankings that were followed by disappointing results.

Bulletin board material.

I can’t recall a season in near-recent memory where we were ranked so low.

19th, despite having the #1 player in the land? Am I missing something? (Because this roster sure looks stacked)

That being said, I concur in liking the disrespect and am beyond grateful to not have the “top dog” albatross out of the gate - seeing as how we never live up to that when so designated.

Prove ‘‘em wrong, lads!

konza63 wrote: I can’t recall a season in near-recent memory where we were ranked so low.

19th, despite having the #1 player in the land? Am I missing something? (Because this roster sure looks stacked)

That being said, I concur in liking the disrespect and am beyond grateful to not have the “top dog” albatross out of the gate - seeing as how we never live up to that when so designated.

Prove ‘‘em wrong, lads!

Maybe a reality check by the media?
1. Poor media performances last two seasons predicting KU's ranking.
2. Seemingly "stacked" rosters last couple of seasons turned out not to be so stacked after all.
3. Self has yet to show he can excel with one year add-ons who come in expecting to play a major role during their stay and few to no "program" guys that have been developed and played together over time in his system.
4. Self has had 2 significant cardiac issues in the past two years, and many people wonder how that has impacted his coaching.

I think the ranking is a "safety" ranking because of the above.
Media not wanting to be so abysmally wrong a third season in a row, and
if it turns out they have lowballed their pick they can truthfully cite the above issues as reasons why they did.