The Tar Heels are No. 1 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25, released Monday, with the No. 2 Wildcats close behind.
MORE: SN preseason All-Americans | Best PGs | Best big men
Roy Williams’ team received 35 of 65 first-place votes, with Kentucky getting 10, No. 3 Maryland getting 14, fourth-ranked Kansas getting five and No. 6 Virginia receiving the final first-place vote.
Last year’s national runner-up, Wisconsin, opens this season at No. 17.
Sporting News preseason All-American Marcus Paige leads the way for the Tar Heels, and as a senior, he has the kind of experience the Wildcats (with one senior on their roster) can’t match.
The 2015-16 champion will be crowned April 4 in Houston, but the preseason poll is a good starting point for debate.
FULL POLL RESULTS
North Carolina (35)
Kentucky (10)
Maryland (14)
Kansas (5)
Duke
Virginia (1)
Iowa State
Oklahoma
Gonzaga
Wichita State
Villanova
Arizona
Michigan State
Cal
Indiana
Utah
Wisconsin
Vanderbilt
Notre Dame
Connecticut
LSU
Baylor
Purdue
Butler
Michigan
