FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ men’s basketball team will begin its most anticipated season in decades with its highest preseason ranking in decades.
The Razorbacks, entering Year 4 under Eric Musselman, are ranked No. 10 in the 2022-23 preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll that was released Monday. It is Arkansas’ highest preseason ranking since it was No. 1 ahead of the 1994-95 season.
“Doesn’t really mean anything, I don’t think,” Musselman said Sunday after the Red-White Game in Barnhill Arena when asked about the AP poll. “It’s good for the fans, good for media, but I don’t know. We already have a target on our back. I would love to say that whatever the polls say (does that), but making two Elite Eights back-to-back … that’s something that we haven’t talked to our team much about.
“But we will start to as we creep closer and closer to games.”
The Razorbacks have now been ranked in consecutive preseason AP polls for the first time since 1995-96 and 1996-97. Prior to last preseason, when Arkansas came in at No. 16, it had not been ranked entering a season opener since 2007-08.
“Just having Arkansas across the front of our jerseys puts a little bit different dynamic right now when we play against people,” Musselman added. “I think our guys have to understand the responsibility that comes with that.”
The Razorbacks, coming off a 28-win season, are set to begin their exhibition schedule on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. against Rogers (Okla.) State in Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas will travel to Austin, Texas, to face the Texas Longhorns on Oct. 29 at 3 p.m.
Arkansas’ season opener is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 7 against North Dakota State. The game is set to tip off at 7 p.m. and air on SEC Network-Plus.
Arkansas’ preseason AP poll ranking over the years
2022-23 — 10
2021-22 — 16
2007-08 — 19
2000-01 — 15
1998-99 — 19
1996-97 — 13
1995-96 — 16
1994-95 — 1
1993-94 — 3
1991-92 — 3
1990-91 — 2
1989-90 — 9
2022-23 Preseason AP Top 25 poll
1. North Carolina
2. Gonzaga
3. Houston
4. Kentucky*
T5. Baylor*
T5. Kansas
7. Duke
8. UCLA
9. Creighton*
10. Arkansas
11. Tennessee*
12. Texas#
13. Indiana
14. TCU
15. Auburn*
16. Villanova
17. Arizona*
18. Virginia
19. San Diego State*
20. Alabama*
21. Oregon
22. Michigan
23. Illinois
24. Dayton
25. Texas Tech*
* - denotes a team Arkansas will or could play in the regular season
# - denotes a team the Razorbacks will play in the preseason