Preseason basketball coaches poll: Kansas State receives votes?

Last week, Wildcat Twitter erupted in outrage over the fact that the Big 12 coaches had collectively picked K-State to finish ninth in the league, even though only one coach in the league didn’t take his team to the NCAA tournament last year.

Apparently the Wildcats are better regarded on a national level, however, as the squad received three votes in the preseason coaches poll presented by USA Today. That’s tied for 51st, so it’s not as though the Wildcats are threatening to have a number next to their name early in the season.

Only three Big 12 teams were actually ranked in the top 25, with Kansas in the #2 spot behind Duke, West Virginia 18th, and Texas 22nd. Iowa State (56, 27th) and Oklahoma (33, 31st) also received votes, meaning that although K-State is ninth among Big 12 coaches they’re the conference’s #6 team in the national view.

The most eye-catching resident of the top 25 is probably Rhode Island, who checked in at #24. The remaining 24 teams are all usual suspects. Florida State, at #26, is also a bit of a surprise; generally, the Seminoles have to build a resume in-season to be taken seriously. Wichita State is at #37, receiving 15 votes. And down in the nether regions, it’s a surprise to see Tennessee-Chattanooga getting preseason notice, placing 49th with five votes.

Here’s the entire poll: