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For the fourth consecutive season, Villanova will begin competition ranked in the Top 10 of the AP Poll. The Wildcats ended last season ranked 23rd, so the high ranking shows the voters respect for Nova’s returning players and anticipation of one of Jay Wright’s best freshman classes. Villanova (2016 and 2018 champs) is in championship company too, as they’re flanked by #9 North Carolina (2017 champs) and #11 Virginia (2019 champs).
As for the Big East, two other schools start the season ranked among the Top 25. Seton Hall at #12 and Xavier at #19 should be the strongest challengers for Villanova’s title this season. The conference also has four other schools receiving votes in Marquette (29th), Georgetown (37th), Creighton (40th), and Providence (T-48th).
The Wildcats will also face a number of ranked or receiving votes opponents in the first half of this year’s schedule. Those ranked may include #3 Kansas, #16 Baylor, and #18 Ohio State. Among the receiving votes opponents are Mississippi State (35th), and USC (43rd) who Villanova just played in an exhibition game last week.
2019-20 AP Poll: Preseason
| Rank | Team (#1 Votes) | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Rank | Team (#1 Votes) | Points |
| 1 | Michigan State (60) | 1,619 |
| 2 | Kentucky (2) | 1,497 |
| 3 | Kansas (3) | 1,457 |
| 4 | Duke | 1,399 |
| 5 | Louisville | 1,386 |
| 6 | Florida | 1,313 |
| 7 | Maryland | 1,134 |
| 8 | Gonzaga | 1,096 |
| 9 | North Carolina | 1,060 |
| 10 | Villanova | 1,048 |
| 11 | Virginia | 1,007 |
| 12 | Seton Hall | 863 |
| 13 | Texas Tech | 837 |
| 14 | Memphis | 773 |
| 15 | Oregon | 742 |
| 16 | Baylor | 523 |
| 17 | Utah State | 491 |
| 18 | Ohio State | 407 |
| 19 | Xavier | 356 |
| 20 | Saint Mary's (Cal) | 330 |
| 21 | Arizona | 265 |
| 22 | LSU | 234 |
| 23 | Purdue | 230 |
| 24 | Auburn | 210 |
| 25 | VCU | 193 |
Others Receiving Votes: Washington 164, Colorado 152, Tennessee 78, Marquette 68, Florida St. 36, Davidson 34, Harvard 24, Illinois 14, Missouri 13, Mississippi St. 12, Houston 11, Georgetown 11, Cincinnati 8, Notre Dame 7, Creighton 4, Syracuse 3, NC State 3, Vermont 2, Alabama 2, Southern Cal 2, Liberty 2, Michigan 2, Dayton 1, Colgate 1, Providence 1.
Polling History
Some interesting Villanova AP Poll facts from College Poll Archive and College Poll Tracker:
- 384th ranking in the AP Poll (17th All-Time)
- 4th consecutive week ranked in the AP Poll (11th longest active streak)
- 213th ranking in the AP Poll Top 10 (14th All-Time)
- 20th season ranked in the AP Preseason Poll (tied for 21st All-Time)
- 12th season ranked in the AP Preseason Top 10 (tied for 14th All-Time)
- 4th consecutive season ranked in the AP Preseason Top 10 (5th longest active streak)
- Chris Murray (Reno, NV) is the highest on Villanova at #3
- Geoff Grammer (Albuquerque, NM) is the lowest on Villanova at #24
- Local Rankers: Dave Preston (#8) Ken Weinman (#9), Joe Juliano (#10), Terry Toohey (#14), John Rothstein (#17), Jerry Carino (#20)
Additional Polling Data
Some would argue these “experts” are more relevant than the AP Poll.
KenPom: Nova is 8th overall, 14th in Adj. Offense, and 9th in Adj. Defense
Sagarin: Not yet updated
Massey: Not yet updated
NET: Not yet updated
Kendrick: If you’re not ready for basketball to start, Anna Kendrick has an alternate sport for you.
And if you’re looking for another set of rankings to care about, try reading Rankings 101.