Kansas head coach Bill Self watches with the bench as the Jayhawks make a run against Illinois during the second half on Sunday, March 20, 2011 at the BOK Center in Tulsa.

The Kansas men’s basketball team has been picked to finish first in the Big 12 preseason coaches poll along with Texas A&M, the conference announced Thursday.

KU picked up five of a possible nine first-place votes, as coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams.

It’s the 11th time since the Big 12’s inception that the Jayhawks have been picked to win the league.

KU has won at least a share of the regular-season conference title in each of the last seven years.

The Jayhawks’ unofficial beginning to the season is Friday, when they take part in Late Night at the Phog beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Allen Fieldhouse.

Big 12 preseason coaches poll

Team (First-place Votes) Points

T1. Kansas (5) 73

T1. Texas A&M (2) 73

3.Baylor (2) 63

4.Missouri (1) 61

5.Texas 51

6.Kansas State 39

7.Oklahoma State 33

8.Iowa State 27

T9. Oklahoma 15

T9. Texas Tech 15