For just the second time since 2015, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Xavier University Musketeers are not ranked in the preseason AP top 25 poll.
This year, the Bearcats and the Musketeers didn't receive a single top-25 vote in the preseason poll and will enter the regular season outside the national rankings.
Both teams lost two of their leading scorers after the 2019-20 season. Xavier is replacing forward Naji Marshall and center Tyrique Jones, and Cincinnati is replacing forwards Jarron Cumberland and Trevon Scott.
Last season, Xavier started the season ranked No.