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The Arizona Wildcats open the season ranked fifth by college coaches behind four traditional basketball powers. The Wildcats ended the season ranked 14th after a Sweet 16 loss to Ohio State. Sean Miller's club sits behind No. 1 behind Kentucky, Michigan State, Louisville and Duke.
The Blue Devils could face the Wildcats in the nonconference schedule should both squads advance to the championship game in Madison Square Garden.
| RANK | TEAM | RECORD | POINTS | PREVIOUS RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kentucky (16) | 21-12 | 767 | NR |
| 2 | Michigan St. (3) | 27-9 | 749 | 13 |
| 3 | Louisville (10) | 35-5 | 741 | 1 |
| 4 | Duke (3) | 30-6 | 710 | 5 |
| 5 | Arizona | 27-8 | 637 | 14 |
| 6 | Kansas | 31-6 | 623 | 8 |
| 7 | Syracuse | 30-10 | 551 | 3 |
| 8 | Florida | 29-8 | 550 | 9 |
| 9 | Michigan | 31-8 | 548 | 2 |
| 10 | Ohio St. | 29-8 | 533 | 6 |
| 11 | North Carolina | 25-11 | 494 | NR |
| 12 | Oklahoma St. | 24-9 | 462 | NR |
| 13 | Memphis | 31-5 | 334 | 18 |
| 14 | Gonzaga | 32-3 | 270 | 12 |
| 15 | Va. Commonwealth | 27-9 | 258 | 23 |
| 16 | Wichita St. | 30-9 | 233 | 4 |
| 17 | Marquette | 26-9 | 230 | 11 |
| 18 | Oregon | 28-9 | 175 | 15 |
| 19 | Connecticut | 20-10 | 167 | NR |
| 20 | New Mexico | 29-6 | 153 | 19 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | 23-12 | 148 | 22 |
| 22 | Notre Dame | 25-10 | 128 | NR |
| 23 | UCLA | 25-10 | 121 | NR |
| 24 | Indiana | 29-7 | 118 | 7 |
| 25 | Virginia | 23-12 | 103 | NR |
| Schools Dropped Out |
| Others Receiving Votes |
| Baylor 102; Colorado 93; Creighton 87; Iowa 86; Tennessee 73; Georgetown 38; Harvard 28; Pittsburgh 23; California 16; Boise State 11; Saint Louis 8; La Salle 7; Temple 4; Missouri 4; Villanova 4; Kansas State 3; LSU 2; Iowa State 2; Arizona State 2; Illinois 2; Georgia 1; UNLV 1. |