The Big 12 has four teams ranked in the top 25 of the first Associated Press poll, including three in the top 10 – tied for the most of any conference in the nation. Overall, seven of the league’s 10 squads were either ranked or received votes in the first poll of the 2015-16 campaign.

It marks only the second time in league history that the conference has begun the season with three teams in the top 10, with the other occurring in 2002-03, when Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas began the year ranked No. 2, 3 and 4 respectively.

Kansas’ No. 4 ranking is its best in the preseason since entering the 2009-10 season No. 1 in the country. The No. 7 preseason ranking for the Cyclones is the best in school history – topping the previous high of No. 9 entering the 1996-97 season. It is just the fifth time in school history that the Cyclones have been ranked in the preseason top 25. Oklahoma boasts its best preseason ranking since being ranked No. 6 in 2005-06.

This is the third-straight season KU has been ranked No. 5 or higher by the AP. KU was No. 5 in the AP preseason poll in both 2014-15 and 2013-14. It is also the sixth time in the last seven seasons that the Jayhawks have entered the season No. 7 or higher by AP.

Baylor enters the year ranked 22nd in the country, while West Virginia, Texas and Oklahoma State all received votes.

The Big 12 men’s basketball begins on Friday, November 13, with several teams in action.

Associated Press Preseason Top 25

1.      North Carolina
2.      Kentucky
3.      Maryland
4.      KANSAS
5.      Duke
6.      Virginia
7.      IOWA STATE
8.      OKLAHOMA
9.      Gonzaga
10.    Wichita State
11.    Villanova
12.    Arizona
13.    Michigan State
14.    California
15.    Indiana
16.    Utah
17.    Wisconsin
18.    Vanderbilt
19.    Notre Dame
20.    Connecticut
21.    LSU
22.    BAYLOR
23.    Purdue
24.    Butler
25.    Michigan

Also Receiving Votes: West Virginia (84 points); Texas (18); Oklahoma State (2)