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The AP writers released their 2021-22 Preseason Basketball Poll and the Villanova Wildcats came in at #4.
Gonzaga is an overwhelming favorite taking the top spot with 55 of 63 first-place votes. UCLA, who ‘Nova plays on November 12th tallied the balance of the first-place votes for the #2 spot. Kansas came in at #3 and Texas rounds out the top 5.
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‘Nova will be led by senior point guard Collin Gillespie who averaged 14 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.3 rebounds. Justin Moore and Jermaine Samuels will return 25 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists between them.
The BIG EAST is also represented by UConn at #24. Xavier and St. John’s also received votes. The Big Ten and SEC are represented by five schools each.
Jay Wright’s Wildcats open their 2021-22 campaign at home on Tuesday, November 9th as they host Mount St. Mary’s.
2021-22 Preseason Poll
| Rank | Team | Record | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Team | Record | Points |
| 1 | Gonzaga (55) | 0-0 | 1562 |
| 2 | UCLA (8) | 0-0 | 1459 |
| 3 | Kansas | 0-0 | 1427 |
| 4 | Villanova | 0-0 | 1332 |
| 5 | Texas | 0-0 | 1315 |
| 6 | Michigan | 0-0 | 1255 |
| 7 | Purdue | 0-0 | 1213 |
| 8 | Baylor | 0-0 | 992 |
| 9 | Duke | 0-0 | 963 |
| 10 | Kentucky | 0-0 | 894 |
| 11 | Illinois | 0-0 | 861 |
| 12 | Memphis | 0-0 | 831 |
| 13 | Oregon | 0-0 | 775 |
| 14 | Alabama | 0-0 | 713 |
| 15 | Houston | 0-0 | 694 |
| 16 | Arkansas | 0-0 | 673 |
| 17 | Ohio State | 0-0 | 581 |
| 18 | Tennessee | 0-0 | 563 |
| 19 | North Carolina | 0-0 | 547 |
| 20 | Florida State | 0-0 | 381 |
| 21 | Maryland | 0-0 | 294 |
| 22 | Auburn | 0-0 | 267 |
| 23 | St. Bonaventure | 0-0 | 238 |
| 24 | UConn | 0-0 | 161 |
| 25 | Virginia | 0-0 | 125 |