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WVU basketball checks in high for rankings

By Matthew Peaslee

BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 18: The bench of the West Virginia Mountaineers reacts after a play against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KeyBank Center on March 18, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 18: The bench of the West Virginia Mountaineers reacts after a play against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KeyBank Center on March 18, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The WVU basketball team is in a good position to start the 2017-18 campaign.

The Mountaineers are ranked high and have just as lofty expectations for themselves. In the recently released Big 12 poll, the Mountaineers come in at second. The were the second place team a year ago as they fell to Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship Game.

The Mountaineers are picked to finish second in this upcoming season, too, only falling behind perennial powerhouse Kansas. The Jayhawks have an impressive streak going of claiming regular season titles. The WVU basketball team has goals to unseat Kansas in that department and claim what eluded it in the title game a year ago.

West Virginia did receive one first-place vote in the preseason conference standings. That came from Kansas coach Bill Self, because coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team. Although, the WVU basketball team does have a right to claim to be the best.

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The Mountaineers are led once again by their star point guard Jevon Carter. He may be the most determined player in the league and he won’t want to miss a beat in his senior season. The goals for the team this season include a national championship, like always.

According to the USA Today Coaches Poll, the WVU basketball team will be on the outside looking in of that spot. Although it’s obvious that games are played on the court and not on paper. The WVU basketball team is still proud of its No. 10 ranking in the poll.

There are only two other Big 12 teams in the top 25 and those teams are Kansas (No. 3) and Baylor (No. 24). Usually one of the top conferences in basketball, if this is a down year for the Big 12, the Mountaineers have an even better chance to win close to 30 games and receive a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

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Every year could be considered “the year” for the WVU basketball team, especially with head coach Bob Huggins in charge. Something just seems even more special about 2017-18. It should be a great season and it starts with great preseason rankings.

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