Cat ranked #2 preseason by coaches

John Calipari's Kentucky team garnered a No. 2 ranking in the newly released ESPN/USA Today Coaches preseason Top 25.

This poll marks the third straight preseason poll in the Calipari Era that Kentucky has been ranked in the top 10 by coaches. The Cats checked in at 10th last season and fifth in Calipari’s initial season.

The #2 preseason ranking also marks the highest preseason ranking in the coaches' poll for Kentucky since former coach Rick Pitino's 1995-96 team was tabbed No. 1 entering the season, and maintained that position until being knocked off by Calipari's UMass squad in the now defunct Directv Great Eight event.

The 1995-96 team went on to win the 1996 NCAA championship.