Is Being Ranked In The Top-5 For Nine Straight Years Good? (Bonus: How The Hell Is This Michigan State Stat Real?)

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So the AP poll came out this afternoon, which means one thing and one thing only. It’s roughly 2 weeks before the season starts. That’s really the only important thing about the AP poll. It’s just a (mostly) dumb thing that gets people all riled up.

But, then I noticed a stat. This is the 9th straight time Kentucky has been in the top-5. The only time they weren’t? Oh, that was a Final Four trip in year 2 under Cal (they were ranked 11).

Makes sense for them to be here again. I absolutely love the way this Kentucky roster fits. You have shooting with Juzang, Quickley, Sestina. Maxey is that high-level talent. You have experience with Richards, Montgomery, Hagans, Sestina and Quickley. You have guys like Keion Brooks and Khalil Whitney that give you a ton of versatility and athleticism. There’s a reason KenPom has them projected as the No. 1 team defensively this year.

Then there was this pretty crazy stat.  This is the FIRST time that Michigan State has ever been preseason No. 1. I’m shocked by that. The year they won it with Magic they were ranked No. 7. A couple years ago when Miles Bridges returned and they had all the expectations they were still No. 2. They’ve been ranked 2nd a bunch. But never No. 1. This is one of the true blue bloods yet somehow never were ranked No. 1.

This team was voted by far and away No. 1 too. It makes sense. They return the pretty much consensus preseason player of the year in Cassius Winston. Assuming Joshua Langford returns from injury, that’s a veteran backcourt that’s pretty, pretty good. Sure, you lose Nick Ward, but Xavier Tillman steps in (though I do question if there’s enough depth in the frontcourt).

Oh and you see those top-4 teams? You know what’s going to be awesome? Opening night in 15 days.

As for the AP poll itself? Sure, whatever, it’s fine. There’s nothing outrageously wrong, which is a step in the right direction. I don’t have too many complaints about it. I’ll get into my own shit closer to the season in terms of teams to sell/buy on, futures and shit like that.