Shocking AP Voter’s Bold Claim Sends Ripples Through Big 12 Preseason Top 25

There’s nothing quite like the release of the preseason AP Poll to stir the college basketball pot—a mix of anticipation, skepticism, and the inevitable eyebrow raises. This year’s list dropped with all the subtlety of a thunderclap, placing giants like Kansas and Duke where you’d expect, yet sprinkling in some unexpected contenders that have tongues wagging from coast to coast. Now, preseason rankings are a peculiar beast — judging squads before a single dribble or layup has occurred seems part clairvoyant, part gamble. But when one lone voter propelled Kansas State all the way up to 13th, flying in the face of logic and a lackluster 16-17 record from last season, it set the scene for a debate that’s as lively as March Madness itself. It’s a reminder: while most might glance at the familiar names, there’s always that one hot take that refuses to be ignored—even if it leaves you scratching your head. LEARN MORE

The preseason AP Poll has officially released for men’s college basketball, and there’s already a severe anomaly that fans are not letting slide without argument.

Preseason rankings are an odd data point. Think about it: these are a bunch of voters making official declarations about basketball teams and programs that have yet to play a single minute — a single possession — yet the objective is to make a definitive statement about which teams are great, and which teams don’t even warrant mentioning.

In the top 25 are a handful of teams that won’t surprise anybody. Blue bloods, new bloods, and a handful of surging programs populate the list. Kansas, Duke, UConn, and even UNC are present, but taking a look at some of the new faces in the crowd could have anyone who had just woken up from a five-year coma.

Houston and St. John’s in the top five? BYU at 8? Yeah, that would be shocking to see without knowledge of recent happenings across the basketball world.

Despite a bit of variance, most of the voters generally agreed on the makeup of the preseason rankings. Notice the operative word ‘most’?

In the face of all logic, reason, or community, one voter shot the Kansas State Wildcats up to the 13th slot on their bracket. Voters are at liberty to make a hot take or two, and without any tangible evidence, no one could outright say this individual was wrong for going against the grain. But explaining the argument for the Wildcats being so high is, well, a challenge considering that not one other voter had K-State posted anywhere on their ballots.

Kansas State finished below .500 last season with a final record of 16-17, and a 9-11 record in the Big 12 schedule. A severe disappointment, and until the team proves differently, it’s hard to imagine much of a different result.

MORE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NEWS: