The defending national champion Kansas University men’s basketball team was ranked No. 23 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll.

The Jayhawks lost all five starters and six of their top eight scorers from last year’s 37-3 team, including five who were taken in last summer’s NBA draft.

For the second straight season, North Carolina, who lost to Kansas in last year’s Final Four, will begin the year at No. 1. The Tar Heels received all 31 first-place votes.

Following North Carolia in the top 5 is Connecticut, Louisville, UCLA and Duke.

The Jayhawks are one of just three Big 12 teams ranked in the top 25, joining Texas (No. 8) and Oklahoma (No. 14).

ESPN/USA Today Preseason Coaches’ Poll

1. North Carolina (31) 0-0 775

2. Connecticut 0-0 707

3. Louisville 0-0 694

4. UCLA 0-0 650

5. Duke 0-0 578

6. Pittsburgh 0-0 576

7. Michigan State 0-0 572

8. Texas 0-0 538

9. Notre Dame 0-0 525

10. Purdue 0-0 465

11. Gonzaga 0-0 437

12. Memphis 0-0 425

13. Tennessee 0-0 408

14. Oklahoma 0-0 387

15. Arizona State 0-0 304

16. Miami (FL) 0-0 233

17. Marquette 0-0 219

18. Georgetown 0-0 175

19. Florida 0-0 161

20. Davidson 0-0 158

21. USC 0-0 153

21. Wisconsin 0-0 153

23. Kansas 0-0 130

24. Wake Forest 0-0 129

25. Villanova 0-0 122

Others Receiving Votes

UNLV 60, Saint Mary’s 59, Ohio State 54, Baylor 47, Xavier 27, Syracuse 23, Texas A&M 19, LSU 19, Arizona 18, Virginia Tech 15, Brigham Young 13, West Virginia 10, Washington 8, Siena 8, Kentucky 7, Vanderbilt 7, Oklahoma State 4, Clemson 2, Washington State 1.