The Pitt Panthers rank fifth in the AP's preseason college basketball poll, behind Duke, Michigan State, Kansas State and Ohio State. No other local teams are ranked in the top 25, but two other Big East teams are ranked in the top ten, with Villanova at No. 6 and Syracuse at No. 10.
As the Post-Gazette notes, the Panthers are no strangers to high rankings in the AP preseason poll - they were No. 4 in 2006 and No. 5 in 2008. Despite the high ranking this year, the Panthers don't have a ton of superstar power, and SB Nation Pittsburgh's Anson Whaley thinks that will ultimately keep them from going as far as the preseason ranking might suggest.
For more on the Panthers, check out SB Nation's new Pitt blog, Cardiac Hill.
Stay tuned to this stream for updates on college basketball rankings.