The AP has released its preseason top 25 ranking and two of our local schools made the list. Villanova just missed out on the top 5 coming in at #6, just behind Big East rival Pittsburgh. They are ahead of last year's Big East regular season champ, Syracuse, who is ranked at #10 and the Big East tournament champs, West Virginia, who did not make the top 25. Nova also came in at #6 in the preseason coaches poll.
Meanwhile, Temple came in at #22 in the poll.They were however, picked as the favorite to win the Atlantic 10 by the conferences' coaches. Coach Fran Dunphy cautioned that it's just a prediction and said he won't allow it to get to his kids' heads.
Of course, last seasons' champs Duke is atop the list and will try to be the first team since Florida in 2007 to win back to back national titles.
The full preseason AP Poll: