College Basketball season is  about 3 weeks away from playing games on the hardwood, but teams are practicing and pundits are publishing. Let’s take a look and see what’s being said about the 2016-2017 Jayhawks team and where people are ranking them.

USA Today Coach’s Poll: Ranking #2

This poll is definitely favoring teams with a blend of experience and young talent as the only team clocking in ahead of KU is Duke. Duke also features returning starters as well as the best freshman class in the country. While KU is ranked number two they did receive one first place vote. This is the highest the coach’s poll has ranked Kansas since starting them at number one entering the 2009 season

Bleacher Report: Ranking #2

Bleacher Report justifies their lofty ranking of the Jayhawks with one point: two point guards. If you are a KU fan you know this season’s team will run through Frank Mason and Devonte Graham. KU is known as a big man factory but let’s look at Bill Self teams that have reaped success in the tournament – all of them had multiple ball handlers from Russell Robinson, Mario Chalmers and Sherron Collins to Elijah Johnson and Tyshawn Taylor.

Dick Vitale: Ranking #4

This is a lowest ranking KU has received thus far. KU fans really never have been Vitale fans and it’s no surprise the ESPN analyst slots Duke in at number one. The ranking might be lower than the rest but Vitale hits a lot of the other pluses that seems to show up for KU, strong guard play coming in front and foremost.

CBS Sports: Ranking #3

CBS is the first source to really harp on the fact that they think freshman Josh Jackson will be the one leading this team. They also mention the inside game as well with a dark horse prediction that freshman Udoka Azubuike will be the next in the line of great Bill Self big men.

Big 12 Coach’s Rankings: Ranking #1

There’s no surprise here KU is picked to win the conference. At this point could you pick anyone else. As usual the choice was unanimous. It’s also worth noting no other Big 12 team shows up in the top 10 of any national ranking system.