Hurricanes, Owls earn high spots in AP preseason basketball poll
After making Cinderella runs to the Final Four for the first time in both programs’ histories, Miami and FAU earned spots in the preseason AP basketball poll.
The Hurricanes clocked in at No. 13 to start the year, while FAU is ranked 10th, earning the first top-10 spot in program history.
Miami’s No. 13 ranking is tied for the highest preseason ranking in program history. The Hurricanes started the 2017-18 season ranked 13th, as well.
Both programs surprised the college basketball world with their deep tournament runs last season. Miami beat Indiana, Houston and Texas before falling to eventual national champion UConn in the Final Four. They finished the season 29-8.
The Hurricanes lost key players Jordan Miller and Isaiah Wong to the NBA, but forward Norchad Omier and guards Nijel Pack and Wooga Poplar return. Miami also added FSU transfer Matthew Cleveland.
Miami opens its season at home against the New Jersey Institute of Technology on Nov. 7.
The Owls, who had only appeared in the NCAA Tournament once, finished the year 35-4. They beat Memphis, fellow Cinderella Farleigh Dickinson, Tennessee and Kansas State before losing to San Diego State in the Final Four.
FAU returns many key players from last year, like Johnell Davis, Giancarlo Rosado, Alijah Martin and Vladislav Goldin. Coach Dusty May also signed a 10-year extension.
The Owls open the year the Barstool Sports Invitational against Loyola Chicago on Nov. 8 before playing their first home game against Eastern Michigan on Nov. 14.