For just the fourth time in program history, K-State women’s basketball will begin a season ranked in the top 25. Announced on Tuesday. the Wildcats are ranked No. 13 in the preseason Associated Press top 25 poll. It’s the first time K-State has been preseason ranked since No. 19 for the 2004-2005 season.

K-State was picked to win the Big 12 this season’s Big 12 coaches preseason poll. Senior center Ayoka Lee, who is returning for a 7th season of eligibility, was named the preseason player of the year in the conference.

The Wildcats reached as high as No. 2 last season in the AP poll. Tied for its highest ranking ever.

Full preseason AP Top 25 (First Place Votes)
1. South Carolina (27)
2. UConn (2)
3. USC (1)
4. Texas
5. UCLA
6. Notre Dame
7. LSU
8. Iowa State
9. NC State
10. Oklahoma
11. Duke
12. Baylor
13. K-State
14. Ohio State
15. North Carolina
16. West Virginia
17. Louisville
18. Maryland
19. Florida State
20. Ole Miss
21. Creighton
22. Kentucky
23. Nebraska
24. Alabama
25. Indiana

Others receiving votes:
Iowa 37, TCU 30, Utah 24, Illinois 23, Stanford 17, Michigan St. 16, Gonzaga 16, Vanderbilt 12, South Dakota St. 7, Miami 4, Tennessee 3, Fairfield 3, Middle Tennessee 3, Georgia Tech 2, Syracuse 1, Princeton 1.