LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The preseason Associated Press Top 25 college basketball poll is out, and regardless if you cheer for red or blue, fans will be happy.

Mark Pope’s Wildcats come in at No. 9. This is the 58th time in program history that the Wildcats are among the top-rated teams to open the season. According to UK, Kentucky leads all programs with 992 appearances in the weekly poll, which is in its 77th season. Ironically, UK’s first exhibition game is against Purdue, which is No. 1 for the first time.

Ten Kentucky regular-season opponents enter the 2025-26 season ranked in the AP Top 25, including four nonconference opponents in St. John’s, Louisville, Gonzaga and Michigan State.

It hasn’t taken Louisville’s Pat Kelsey long to get the Cardinals among the nation’s top teams. The Card

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