Since 1969, UK's Had 16 Teams Ranked Outside Top 10 In Preseason Poll

[dlh331]

A post for those fans who "prefer" UK start as low as possible in the preseason. Of those 15 teams:

1. Overall record was 358-159 for 69.2%
2. 8 finished the year unranked
3. 6 won the SEC Regular season
4. 5 won 12 SECT that were played
5. 2 missed the tourney
6. 2 made the NIT
7. UK went 22-12 in the 11 NCAAT
8. UK made 5 Elite 8s
9. UK made 2 Final 4s (1975 and 2011)

Starting low in the preseason is not an absolute factor the season will basically be below accepted standards, but it certainly appears to be hard to overcome. When a team is ranked low, it generally is because they are not that talented.

 

[funKYcat75]

nice ...

 

[dlh331]

Another stat for those who prefer a lower preseason ranking. Since 1970, here are the preseason rankings for UK's Final 4 teams:

1975 #16
1978 #2
1984 #2
1993 #5
1996 #1
1997 #3
1998 #8
2011 #11
2012 #2
2014 #1
2015 #1

 

[dlh331]

So, your initial post is wrong. TWO Kentucky teams started outside the top ten and made the Final Four - 1975 started at #18 and 2011 started at #11.

Thanks, I will edit it.

 

[Smashcat]

UK is ranked #10 by AP this year, so these factoids don't directly apply. But as a historical review, I'd note:

True. I'm more worried about GD NCAA agenda refs and injuries anyway.