Freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has helped lead UK to a 6-0 start and a No. 1 ranking in both the AP and Coaches polls. (Chet White, UK Athletics)
It’s official: the Kentucky Wildcats are No. 1 yet again.Following North Carolina’s loss to UNLV this weekend, John Calipari and the Cats returned to the top spot in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls for the first time since the 2009-10 season.In the AP poll, UK received 46 of 65 potential first place votes, placing them ahead of second-ranked Ohio State. This marks the second time in Calipari’s tenure that UK has owned the top spot and the 19th different season in school history the Wildcats have been No. 1 at some point.UK received 22 of 31 first place votes from coaches participating in the ESPN/USA Today poll. At fifth place in both polls is UNC, the Wildcats’ opponent in a long-awaited game to be played on Saturday in Rupp Arena. Although the Tar Heels’ loss spoiled a potential No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup, the game will feature the two most highly-rated opponents to face off in the regular season since UK-Indiana in 1979.