BYU was ranked ninth in the Big 12 preseason poll – BYU Athletics – Official Athletics Website

IRVING, Texas – BYU has been selected to finish ninth in the 2024-25 Big 12 Men's Basketball Preseason Poll, the league announced Thursday afternoon.

When it comes to voting among the league's head coaches, Kansas is considered the favorite to win the league, just ahead of defending champion Houston. Four of the top five teams in the poll received the first votes.

Kansas is at the top of the poll with 215 points and nine first-place votes, followed by Houston with 211 points and five first-place votes. Iowa State is in third place with 194 points and one first-place vote, while Baylor (185 points) and Arizona (179 points, one first-place vote) round out the top five.

Cincinnati (140 points), Texas Tech (135 points) and K-State (133 points) are just ahead of BYU in the poll, while the Cougars scored 116 points. The Cougars are followed by TCU (90 points), UCF (83 points), Arizona State (64 points), West Virginia (62 points), Oklahoma State (46 points), Colorado (37 points) and Utah (30 points).

BYU finished fifth in its first season in the Big 12 in 2023-24 and finished 10-8 in league play, including ranked wins over Baylor, Iowa State and Kansas. The Cougars return eight letterwinners, including Fousseyni Traore and Dallin Hall, who both earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors.

The Cougars open the 2024-25 season on Tuesday, November 5th when they host Central Arkansas. The meeting point is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Marriott Center.