Kansas, which was the No. 1 team in the country in the preseason AP basketball poll on Monday, landed an identical No. 1 spot in the USA Today coaches poll released Thursday.
The Jayhawks received 14 of 32 first-place votes, finishing a slot ahead of No. 2 Kentucky by 10 points. The Wildcats were first on 12 ballots.
Duke had four first-place votes and was No. 3, followed by Gonzaga and Virginia -- teams with one first place vote apiece.
Tennessee was ranked sixth, followed by North Carolina, Villanova, Nevada, Michigan State, Kansas State (12th in AP poll), Auburn, West Virginia, Syracuse, Florida State, Oregon, Virginia Tech, Michigan, Mississippi State, UCLA, TCU, Purdue, Clemson, Washington and Nebraska.
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It's the fourth time KU has been preseason No. 1 in the coaches poll. KU was No. 1 in 1996-97, 2004-05 and 2009-10. KU has been No. 1 in both the AP and coaches polls in 2004-05, 2009-10 and now 2018-19.
It's the fourth straight year the Jayhawks have opened the season in the top five. KU is ranked in the preseason for the 27th time in time in the 30-year history of the poll.
This marks the ninth time KU has been preseason No. 3 or higher in the coaches poll. It is the 13th time in the 16-year Bill Self era the Jayhawks have been preseason No. 7 or better including each of the last seven seasons.
KU could play 10 games against teams ranked in the coaches' preseason poll this regular season: vs. No. 2 Kentucky, No. 6 Tennessee, No. 8 Villanova, No. 10 Michigan State, No. 11 Kansas State, No. 13 West Virginia and No. 21. TCU.
USA Today preseason coaches poll
1. Kansas (31-8)
2. Kentucky (26-11)
3. Duke (29-8)
4. Gonzaga (32-5)
5. Virginia (31-3)
6. Tennessee (26-9)
7. North Carolina (26-11)
8. Villanova (36-4)
9. Nevada (29-8)
10. Michigan State (30-5)
11. Kansas State (25-12)
12. Auburn (26-8)
13. West Virginia (26-11)
14. Syracuse (23-14)
15. Florida State (23-12)
16. Oregon (23-13)
17. Virginia Tech (21-12)
18. Michigan (33-8)
19. Mississippi St. (25-12)
20. UCLA (21-12)
21. TCU (21-12)
22. Purdue (30-7)
23. Clemson (25-10)
24. Washington (21-13)
25. Nebraska (22-11)