Story perspectives

Houston Tops Big 12 Preseason Poll; Toppin Named Player of Year

10/17/2025

Summary

Story summary

The 2025-26 Big 12 men's basketball preseason coaches poll indicates Houston as the favorite, earning 14 first-place votes, while BYU received one.
Texas Tech ranks third, and Arizona is fourth, with Colorado projected to finish 15th and Arizona State last.
Texas Tech's JT Toppin is named Preseason Player of the Year, and BYU's AJ Dybantsa is highlighted as a key player.
Utah, led by new coach Alex Jensen, seeks to improve after a challenging previous season.
The season begins on November 3 for several teams.

History

Historical Context

In 1982, the NCAA established a preseason coaches poll, with the University of North Carolina, coached by Dean Smith, ranked first. This initiative reflected the increasing competitiveness of college basketball. The current Big 12 preseason poll, favoring Houston, continues this tradition, influencing recruitment and fan engagement while shaping the landscape of college athletics and rivalries.

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Story summary

The 2025-26 Big 12 men's basketball preseason coaches poll indicates Houston as the favorite, earning 14 first-place votes, while BYU received one.
Texas Tech ranks third, and Arizona is fourth, with Colorado projected to finish 15th and Arizona State last.
Texas Tech's JT Toppin is named Preseason Player of the Year, and BYU's AJ Dybantsa is highlighted as a key player.
Utah, led by new coach Alex Jensen, seeks to improve after a challenging previous season.
The season begins on November 3 for several teams.

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