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Isaac Hale, Deseret News
For the second straight year, BYU is ranked to open basketball season.
The Cougars came in at No. 25 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll, earning the eighth preseason ranking in school history.
Joining BYU from the Big 12 in the preseason rankings were Arizona (No. 5), Houston (No. 10), Kansas (No. 17), Iowa State (No. 18) and Texas Tech (No. 19).
BREAKING: Preseason College Basketball AP Poll🏀https://t.co/g4z17LVdWPpic.twitter.com/dYJufsSTG0
— On3 (@On3) October 19, 2026
TCU appeared in the receiving votes section, as did in-state rival and Cougars’ nonconference opponent Utah State.
The only other conference with more ranked teams than the Big 12’s six was the SEC (seven), with the Big Ten (five) and ACC (four) coming in behind.
Florida is the No. 1 team in the poll, followed by Duke, Illinois and UConn.
None of BYU’s nonconference opponents are currently ranked.
The Cougars will head to Big 12 media days in Kansas City this week and open the regular season on Nov. 2 against Ohio State in Salt Lake City.