Jayhawks No. 4 in Associated Press Preseason Poll

Nov. 2, 2007

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<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>LAWRENCE, Kan. – For the sixth time in the last seven seasons, the Kansas men’s basketball team is ranked in the Associated Press Top 10 as the organization released its preseason poll Friday with KU No. 4.

Kansas’ AP preseason ranking is the same spot as the ESPN/USA Today Coaches’ Preseason Poll released Oct. 26.

“Preseason polls are nice to be in, but you have to prove it on the court,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said. “The voters obviously see that we have a lot of talent with our five seniors and core players back from last season’s team, but we have a lot of work to do to live up to that ranking.”

KU returns four of five starters and 13 of 14 letterwinners from last season’s 33-5 team which won the Big 12 regular and postseason championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.

Since the 1992-93 campaign, this year marks the 13th time in the last 15 seasons KU has been ranked ninth or higher by the AP. In 1999-2000 the Jayhawks were No. 11 in the preseason AP poll and were unranked in 2005-06.

KU was ranked No. 1 in the 2004-05 AP and coaches’ preseason polls. Since 1985-86, Kansas has been ranked in the AP preseason Top 10 on 17 occasions.

Last year, Kansas was ranked in the AP Top 10 for 16 weeks and ended the year No. 2, the same spot the Jayhawks opened the season.

Kansas will face five teams ranked in the AP preseason poll – No. 15 Texas, No. 16 Texas A&M, No. 17 Arizona, No. 18 USC and No. 25 Kansas State.

The Jayhawks open regular-season play against Louisiana Monroe on Friday, Nov. 9. Tip from Allen Fieldhouse is set for 7 p.m.