Kansas ranked No. 5 in coaches’ poll

The Kansas Jayhawks will enter the 2014-15 season  ranked No. 5 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches’ poll. The poll was released on Thursday afternoon.

This marks the 23rd time in the 26-year history of the coaches’ poll that Kansas has been ranked in the top 25. This is also the ninth time Kansas has been ranked seventh or higher in the poll since Bill Self joined the program prior to the 2003-2004 season.  This is Self’s 12th season at the helm of the Jayhawks.

Last season, Kansas was slotted at No. 6 to start the season.

This year’s poll isn’t too much different compared to last year’s. Kentucky again is tabbed as the preseason No. 1. Arizona, Duke and Wisconsin round out the top four. After the Jayhawks, North Carolina, Florida, Virginia, Louisville and Texas round out the top 10.

Team’s that were in last year’s poll and this year’s poll include Kentucky (No. 1 in 2013/No. 1 in 2014), Louisville (No. 3/No. 9), Duke (No. 4/No. 3), Arizona (No. 5/No. 2), and Florida (No. 8/No. 7).

Other notable teams in the top 25 include Wichita State (No 11), Iowa State (No. 14), the defending national champion UConn Huskies (No. 15), Oklahoma (No. 19), Nebraska (No. 21), and SMU (No. 22).

The Big 12 had four teams in the top 25 (Kansas, Texas, Iowa State and Oklahoma) while Kansas State and Baylor both received votes.

As usual, Kansas has a loaded schedule. In addition to KU’s four top 25 Big 12 opponents, Kansas faces two top 10 teams in their non-conference schedule. Kansas will face off against their first top 25 opponent in their second regular season game of the year against No. 1 Kentucky on November 18th in Indianapolis. No. 7 Florida will visit Allen Fieldhouse on December 5th for the Big 12-SEC challenge.

In addition, Kansas could play Michigan State (No. 18) in the Orlando Classic.