UCLA Basketball: Bruins Rank No. 13 in First AP Poll

March 8, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Ben Howland watches game action against the Arizona Wildcats during the second round of the 2012 Pac 12 Tournament in the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

UCLA has been ranked No. 13 in the preseason Associated Press men’s basketball top 25 poll, just announced today. The ranking is the same spot they were put in the coaches poll, and you have to wonder what exactly the ranking is based off?

There is no doubt UCLA will be loaded with talent this season as they bring in the #1 recruiting class in the country.

Yet, even with a newly renovated Pauley Pavilion set to open for the season opener on November 9th, a dark cloud still looms over Westwood. Every UCLA fan knows of the ongoing NCAA investigation into Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson, and it’s possible the Bruins could be without either for a long period of time.

With that being said, are the rankings taking this into account? Or would UCLA be ranked higher if voters were certain of the status of both freshman?

I still have a gut feeling UCLA will be just fine, and we need to be excited about the upcoming season.

UCLA will play at least four games against teams ranked in the preseason AP poll- two versus No. 12 Arizona (Jan. 24, March 2) and one each against No. 15 Missouri (Dec. 28) and No. 20 San Diego State (Dec. 1). It is important to note that the Bruins could face No. 1 Indiana at the Legends Classic in Brooklyn, N.Y., at the new Barclays Center on Nov. 20.