"Based on what we return and the quality of newcomers that we were able to recruit, I could see why people would think this," he said of the ranking. "It means you have good players, but it also puts a target on your back. That will make the season tougher, but we'll be that much more prepared for March."

Kansas received 27 first-place votes from the 31-member coaches panel. The Jayhawks also got three second-place votes and a third. No. 2 Michigan State got three first-place votes.

Kansas, which returns its top nine scorers, blends experience in potential All-Americans Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich with a prized newcomer in 6-6 freshman guard Xavier Henry. Collins, a 5-11 senior point guard, averaged 18.9 points and 5.0 assists last season. Aldrich, a 6-11 center, averaged 14.9 points and 11.1 rebounds for the Jayhawks, who reached the Sweet 16 last season.

But the Jayhawks also are trying to leave behind some controversy. Perimeter defender Brady Morningstar won't play in the first semester following a DUI charge. Players twice fought with football team members, leading to guard Tyshawn Taylor dislocating a thumb. In the summer, Self had to fix a rift with the father of star recruit Xavier Henry.

In 2008, Self won his first NCAA title and the third for Kansas. Comparing that team with this squad, he said the 2008 team "was more experienced and quicker. But that team didn't have the depth and didn't potentially rebound as well.

"If this team faced the (2008) team right now, it would not fare well. By February, this will be a team that's very comparable to that team."

Enlarge By Charlie Riedel, AP Bill Self's Kansas Jayhawks open the season in the top spot in the USA TODAY/ESPN coaches' poll. "It means you have good players, but it also puts a target on your back," Self says. "That will make the season tougher, but we'll be that much more prepared for March."

		Sherron Collins and the Kansas Jayhawks open the season in the No. 1 spot in the USA TODAY/ESPN coaches' poll. By Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images