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USA Today has released their 2017-18 Preseason Coaches poll and the Villanova Wildcats have been tabbed at the #6 spot.
Duke starts the season at the top spot with Michigan State, Kansas, Kentucky, and Arizona rounding out the Top 5.
The Blue Devils received 20 first-place votes, Michigan State nine, Arizona two and Florida one. The coaches ranked Duke at the top spot in the preseason for the second year in a row.
The BIG EAST is also represented by Xavier at #17 and Seton Hall at #23. Providence and Creighton were also receiving votes.
Looking ahead at Villanova’s non-conference schedule, Gonzaga is at #19 and Purdue, a possible opponent at the Battle 4 Atlantis, is #21.
Villanova’s season tips off on November 10th when the ‘Cats host Columbia.
2018 USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll
| RANK | TEAM | RECORD | POINTS | 1ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RANK | TEAM | RECORD | POINTS | 1ST |
| 1 | Duke | 28-9 | 774 | 20 |
| 2 | Michigan St | 20-15 | 747 | 9 |
| 3 | Kansas | 31-5 | 723 | 0 |
| 4 | Kentucky | 32-6 | 678 | 0 |
| 5 | Arizona | 32-5 | 654 | 2 |
| 6 | Villanova | 32-4 | 623 | 0 |
| 7 | Florida | 27-9 | 549 | 1 |
| 8 | Wichita St. | 31-5 | 543 | 0 |
| 9 | North Carolina | 33-7 | 515 | 0 |
| 10 | West Virginia | 28-9 | 458 | 0 |
| 11 | Southern California | 26-10 | 396 | 0 |
| 12 | Miami-Florida | 21-12 | 383 | 0 |
| 13 | Cincinnati | 30-6 | 349 | 0 |
| 14 | Notre Dame | 26-10 | 305 | 0 |
| 15 | Minnesota | 24-10 | 303 | 0 |
| 16 | Louisville | 25-9 | 295 | 0 |
| 17 | Xavier | 24-14 | 284 | 0 |
| 18 | UCLA | 31-5 | 275 | 0 |
| 19 | Gonzaga | 37-2 | 242 | 0 |
| 20 | Northwestern | 24-12 | 208 | 0 |
| 21 | Purdue | 27-8 | 167 | 0 |
| 22 | St. Mary's | 29-5 | 152 | 0 |
| 23 | Seton Hall | 21-12 | 139 | 0 |
| 24 | Baylor | 27-8 | 107 | 0 |
| 25 | Alabama | 19-15 | 82 | 0 |