Where the media projects BYU and Utah to finish in the Big 12 basketball standings this season

Lofty expectations continue to pour in for BYU basketball.

The Big 12 basketball preseason media poll was released Thursday, with the Cougars being picked to finish third in the 16-team league.

It’s the highest preseason conference ranking ever for BYU in three seasons in the Big 12. The Cougars had previously been picked second in the league in the coaches poll earlier this month.

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Utah came in at No. 13 in the poll ahead of Alex Jensen’s first year with the program. The Runnin’ Utes were also picked No. 13 in the coaches poll.

Ahead of BYU in the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in the poll were Houston and Texas Tech, respectively.

The Cougars were followed by Arizona, Iowa State, Kansas, Baylor, Kansas State, Cincinnati, TCU, West Virginia, Oklahoma State and then Utah.

Behind the Runnin’ Utes were UCF, Colorado and Arizona State to round out the league.

BYU will open the season Monday against Villanova in Las Vegas, while Utah will host San Jose State Monday in Salt Lake City.