Photo courtesy of UNC Athletic Communications

CHAPEL HILL– The preseason USA Today Coaches poll was released Thursday and the Tar Heels will start the season just outside the top ten at No. 11.

The Wildcats of Kentucky grabbed the top spot in the rankings, receiving 16 of the 32 first place votes.

Michigan State placed second in the poll followed by No. 3 Louisville and No.4 Duke. The Arizona Wildcats rounded out the top five.

The Tar Heels will certainly get their shot at the upper echelon of college basketball this season. UNC faces all four of the teams at the top of the preseason poll.

On a conference level, Carolina was tabbed to finish third in the ACC behind Duke and Syracuse by members of the media at the annual Media Day held in Charlotte this week.

You can view the complete national poll here.