“UConn not at 1 is a crime”: College hoops fans incensed over 2024 AP top 25 preseason poll 

The preseason AP poll for the 2024 men's college basketball season is out and the back-to-back reigning champions, the UConn Huskies, are listed at the third spot. The Kansas Jayhawks take the top berth for the fifth time behind preseason Player of the Year Hunter Dickinson. The second spot is occupied by Nate Oats' Alabama Crimson Tide.

The Purdue Boilermakers, the finalists from last season, are ranked 14th, while the NC State Wolfpack, despite a Final Four appearance, did not make the cut. SLAM posted the complete list on its Instagram while highlighting some of the most anticipated players in the Division I circuit.

Fans immediately highlighted the Huskies' low consideration on the preseason list in the comment section:

"UConn not at 1 is a crime," a fan wrote.

"How is Alabama above UConn?" another fan commented.

"Uconn at 3 is madness," another fan wrote.

Unsatisfied by the rankings, other fans questioned the authenticity of the AP preseason list:

"Every year @aztec_mbb is not rank and every year they make it further in the Tournament than these foos lol," a fan commented.

"Ohio State will be ranked after about two weeks.," another fan wrote.

"Pre season polls especially in basketball literally mean nothing," another fan commented.

Fans' comments about AP preseason rankings

Dan Hurley tasked with maneuvering through a new UConn roster

One of the reasons behind Dan Hurley’s rejection of the Los Angeles Lakers coaching job was his ability to define and cultivate a certain culture at UConn. In comparison, the NBA offers very little control and decision-making when it comes to outlining practices, choosing players, certain matchups and the overall team schedule.

With that, Hurley is eyeing history this season by clinching a three-peat. However, he will be with a different star cast in the 2024–25 season.

The Huskies only see Alex Karaban returning from last year’s starting lineup. Other starters, Tristan Newton, Cam Spencer, Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle, transitioned to the big league this summer. All four of them averaged double-digit scoring last year.

With that, one of Hurley's biggest challenges this season will be choosing his rotations and tasking them with his personnel-oriented gameplans. The UConn coach discussed how he's planning to prepare his team for the challenge of claiming a third title. (Start at 1:21)

"You talk some about personnel, you're actually kind of leaning into having some adversity in close scrimmages," Hurley shared with Storrs Central on Sunday.

"It's not the same as a game. We rely heavily on scouting and game planning in our preparation, how we set up our defense for opponents, setting up our offense for opponents and really dialing into a personal game plan."

The Huskies face their first challenge of the campaign on October 15 against Rhode Island in a preseason exhibition game.