UCLA Men's Basketball Ranked No. 13 in AP Preseason Poll Bruins to open season in New Pauley Pavilion on Friday, Nov. 9
Larry Drew II

Larry Drew II

Oct. 26, 2012

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LOS ANGELES - UCLA has been ranked No. 13 in the preseason Associated Press men's basketball top 25 poll, as announced Friday. The Bruins open the season against Indiana State on Friday, Nov. 9, in New Pauley Pavilion.

UCLA's season opener in two weeks will mark the school's first athletic event in the newly-renovated Pauley Pavilion, which underwent an 18-month, $136 million renovation.

The Bruins return three of five starters from last year's team, which finished 19-14 with an 11-7 mark in the Pac-12 and tied for a fifth-place finish in the conference.

UCLA's veteran unit includes David Wear, Travis Wear and Tyler Lamb, all of which started one year ago, and key contributors Joshua Smith and Norman Powell. The Bruins have added senior point guard Larry Drew II, who transferred to UCLA from North Carolina after playing 96 games for the Tar Heels. In addition, UCLA welcomes an incoming group of freshmen ranked by ESPN.com as the nation's top-ranked recruiting class.

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). The Bruins could face No. 1 Indiana at the Progressive Legends Classic in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Nov. 20.

Game time of the season opener in Pauley Pavilion on Friday, Nov. 9, is slated for 8 p.m.

2012-13 PRESEASON AP TOP 25 POLL

Rank Team (First Place Votes) 2011-12 Record 2011-12 Final Rank*
1 Indiana (43) 27-9 16
2 Louisville (20) 30-10 17
3 Kentucky (2) 38-2 1
4 Ohio State 31-8 7
5 Michigan 24-10 13
6 N.C. State 24-13 NR
7 Kansas 32-7 6
8 Duke 27-7 8
9 Syracuse 34-3 2
10 Florida 26-11 25
11 North Carolina 32-6 4
12 Arizona 23-12 NR
13 UCLA 19-14 NR
14 Michigan State 29-8 5
15 Missouri 30-5 3
16 Creighton 29-6 19
17 Memphis 26-9 NR
18 UNLV 26-9 23
19 Baylor 30-8 9
20 San Diego State 26-8 22
21 Gonzaga 26-7 NR
22 Notre Dame 22-12 NR
23 Wisconsin 26-10 14
24 Cincinnati 26-11 NR
25 Florida State 26-11 10

*final AP poll last season was released on March 12, 2012


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