Even with the losses of five first-round draft picks, the nation’s coaches believe Kentucky is a top-10 team.

Kentucky has been ranked No. 10 in the USA Today/ESPN preseason coaches poll that was released Thursday thanks to a star-studden freshman class that features Brandon Knight, Enes Kanter and Terrence Jones along with returning veterans Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins.

It is the second straight season UK has been ranked in the top 10 in the coaches poll to begin the season. Kentucky was tabbed No. 5 to begin last year’s Elite Eight run.

After winning the 2010 national title, Duke begins the year ranked No. 1. A total of three Southeastern Conference teams, Florida (No. 11) and Tennessee (No. 20) being the others, were ranked in the preseason poll.

1. Duke2. Michigan State3. Kansas State 4. Pittsburgh5. Ohio State6. Villanova 7. Kansas8. Purdue9. North Carolina10. Kentucky11. Florida12. Gonzaga13. Syracuse14. Baylor15. Missouri16. Illinois17. Washington18. Butler19. Memphis20. Tennessee21. Georgetown22. Temple23. Virginia Tech24. Wisconsin 25. Texas