ESPN’s Dick Vitale has ranked Kansas University’s basketball team No. 4 in the country in his first preseason poll for the 2012-13 season. His final preseason rankings will be released in October.

“Keep an eye on Ben McLemore, who sat out last season. He has pro potential. Bill Self has another Big 12 front-runner,” Vitale said.

He has Louisville No. 1, followed by Kentucky, Indiana, KU, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina State, Baylor, Syracuse and Ohio State. Other Big 12 teams: Texas, 20; Kansas State, 31; Iowa State 34; Oklahoma State 40.

Young lists KU: James Young, a 6-7, 200-pound senior-to-be from Troy (Mich.) High School, has a top three of Kentucky, KU and Michigan State (in that order), according to Rivals.com. Young averaged 26.8 points and 8.0 rebounds a game in four games at an AAU Tournament last weekend in Minnesota. He plays for The Family out of Detroit. Young, who is ranked No. 9 in the Class of 2013 by Rivals.com, hopes to pick a school this summer.

Twins list KU: The Harrison twins of Texas list KU, Maryland, Kentucky, Baylor, Arizona and Villanova. Andrew Harrison, who is ranked No. 2 in the Class of 2013, and Aaron Harrison, who is ranked No. 5, are 6-foot-5 combo guards out of Travis High School in Fort Bend, Texas.

Off to Topeka: KU’s men’s and women’s basketball teams will be recognized today at the Capitol in Topeka. Women’s players Tania Jackson, CeCe Harper, Angel Goodrich and Carolyn Davis and men’s players Conner Teahan, Jeff Withey, Travis Releford and Jordan Juenemann — as well as AD Sheahon Zenger — will visit the Senate and House and make an appearance with Gov. Sam Brownback.