USC basketball is No. 22 in preseason USA TODAY Coaches Poll
On Monday, the preseason top 25 was released. Here’s a look at the first USA TODAY Coaches Poll with the season set to start in three weeks.
The USC Trojans landed at No. 22 in the initial poll. They seemed likely to be a top-15 team in the spring, but with Bronny James and Vince Iwuchukwu both dealing with health problems — Bronny with his recovery from cardiac arrest, Iwuchukwu with back problems — USC’s position has fallen outside the top 20. If Andy Enfield can get those guys back, USC’s ceiling will rise.
Even without those two players, however, the Trojans are going to be a fun team to watch with all the talent on the roster.
The Pac-12 Conference, in its last season as we know it, has some strong teams in the top portion of the conference, with UCLA, Oregon, Arizona, and even Colorado as possible contenders.
Here’s the full preseason edition of the college basketball USA TODAY Coaches Poll:
KANSAS JAYHAWKS
The Kansas Jayhawks, the 2022 national champions, are at the top of the poll.
PURDUE BOILERMAKERS
That stunning, historic loss to Fairleigh Dickinson has been on their minds all season long, and the Boilermakers will spend the entire season trying to make a statement.
DUKE BLUE DEVILS
Jon Scheyer did just fine last season as Coach K’s replacement, and now he enters his second season with lots of expectations.
MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
Michigan State, the team that ended USC’s tournament last March, is in the top five.
Follow Spartans Wire for complete coverage.
UCONN HUSKIES
The reigning national champions are fifth because they lost quite a few prominent players. They still figure to be very, very good, though.
HOUSTON COUGARS
Houston made another relatively early exit in the Big Dance in 2023, but the Cougars are loaded once again.
MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES
Marquette is back and one of the best teams in the crowded Big East.
CREIGHTON BLUEJAYS
Creighton fell to San Diego State in the tourney, and the Bluejays lost a few players, but they are still in the top 10.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC OWLS
Florida Atlantic was the best story of the season, but don’t think this was a Cinderella story. The Owls are back and are viewed as a real Final Four contender once again.
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
Can Tennessee finally make a run in the tourney? This could be the year.
Follow Vols Wire for complete coverage.
ARIZONA WILDCATS
Caleb Love and Keshad Johnson are a few massive transfers Tommy Lloyd landed. Arizona is the highest-ranked Pac-12 team.
GONZAGA BULLDOGS
Drew Timme and Julian Strawther left for the pros, so those are big holes or Gonzaga to fill.
MIAMI
Miami went to the Final Four and lost to UConn, and Jim Larranga was rewarded with a contract extension.
ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS
Eric Musselman is still searching for a Final Four run, and once again he has plenty of talent on the roster.
Follow Razorbacks Wire for complete coverage.
SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS
Lamont Butler’s heroics sent the Aztecs to the title game, but they lost a lot of players, including Nathan Mensah, Adam Seiko, and Matt Bradley.
KENTUCKY WILDCATS
Kentucky needs to find a way to make noise in March Madness, or John Calipari could be shown the door.
BAYLOR BEARS
Baylor fell to Creighton in the tournament despite the Bears being a higher seed.
TEXAS LONGHORNS
Texas made it to the Elite Eight despite injury woes. Interim head coach Rodney Terry did well and earned the permanent job.
Follow Longhorns Wire for complete coverage.
TEXAS A&M AGGIES
Texas A&M could find a way to win the SEC. Wouldn’t that be something?
Follow Aggies Wire for complete coverage.
VILLANOVA WILDCATS
Could Villanova return to being a big hitter in college basketball? The Wildcats are trending in the right direction.
NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS
Armando Bacot returned for another year, but the loss of Caleb Love is going to be a notable one.
Follow Tar Heels Wire for complete coverage.
USC TROJANS
The Trojans might have been higher if it weren’t for Bronny James’ absence, but this team still has a ton of pieces to work with.
SAINT MARY'S GAELS
Saint Mary’s in the top 25? Get used to it.
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
No. 1 seed Alabama lost to San Diego State in stunning fashion last March, and Brandon Miller left for the NBA. Still, the Tide landed in the back end of the poll.
Follow Roll Tide Wire for complete coverage.
UCLA BRUINS
Jaime Jaquez Jr. left for the NBA, but UCLA is the final team in the rankings and the third Pac-12 program.
