PROVIDENCE – UConn and Cincinnati each cracked the top 25 in the USA Today preseason basketball coaches poll, while SMU received votes in the balloting.
UConn checks in at No. 16 in the poll, while Cincinnati is No. 25.
The Huskies will be blending a consensus top 10 recruiting class with several veterans, including 2014-15 American Defensive Player of the Year Amida Brimah, Rodney Purvis and last year’s American Preseason Rookie of the Year, Jalen Adams. Among those joining the Huskies this season are Alterique Gilbert, the 12th McDonald’s All-American to join the program, and Terry Larrier, who is eligible after sitting out a season due to NCAA transfer rules.