Nov. 2, 2001

LEXINGTON, Ky. – In the Preseason USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll released Thursday, Kentucky was ranked fourth nationally, trailing defending national champion Duke, Illinois and Maryland. Southeastern Conference foe Florida rounded out the top five.

For UK, it’s the highest preseason ranking in the Coaches Poll since the defending national champions were ranked No. 4 prior to the 1996-97 season.

The Wildcats, who are preseason favorites to win the SEC, return three starters and 91.4% of their point production from last season.

In other polls, the Cats have been ranked as high as No. 2 by Lindy’s, Playboy and Basketball News. Athlon Magazine made Kentucky its favorite to win the national championship.

USA Today/ESPN Preseason Coaches Poll

1.Duke (30)2.Illinois (1)3.Maryland4.Kentucky5.Florida6.UCLA7.Kansas8.Iowa9.Missouri10.St. Joseph’s11.Virginia12.Michigan State13.Memphis14.Georgetown15.Stanford16.Boston College17.Temple18.Oklahoma State19.North Carolina20.Syracuse21.Indiana22.Texas23.Oklahoma24.USC25.Fresno State