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USA TODAY Sports’ Scott Gleeson breaks down the latest men’s basketball coaches poll.

USA TODAY

Just three days before the No. 1 Baylor men’s basketball team is scheduled to open its season, coach Scott Drew has announced he has tested positive for COVID-19.

Drew said he was notified following Friday’s team-wide test. Associate head coach Jerome Tang will take over on an interim basis while Drew is in self-isolation.

Drew issued a statement on Sunday saying that he has been asymptomatic and that his was the team’s only positive test over the past 12 weeks. The rest of the team tested negative on Friday and Sunday. 

“While it will be difficult watching from a distance, I know the team is in great hands with coach Tang and our entire staff,” Drew said. “I look forward to returning to the sidelines as soon as I can do so safely.”

Baylor has been tabbed as the early favorite in the USA TODAY Sports preseason men’s college basketball poll with four starters — including national player of the year candidate Jared Butler — returning from last year’s 26-4 squad. 

The Bears open its season against No. 17 Arizona State.

USA TODAY Sports preseason men’s college basketball coaches poll

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1. Baylor (Last year's record: 26-4)

1. Baylor (Last year’s record: 26-4) Raymond Carlin III, USA TODAY Sports

2. Gonzaga (Last year's record: 31-2)

2. Gonzaga (Last year’s record: 31-2) James Snook, USA TODAY Sports

3. Villanova (Last year's record: 24-7)

3. Villanova (Last year’s record: 24-7) Frank Victores, USA TODAY Sports

4. Virginia (Last year's record: 23-7)

4. Virginia (Last year’s record: 23-7) Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports

5. Kansas (Last year's record: 28-3)

5. Kansas (Last year’s record: 28-3) Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports

6. Iowa (Last year's record: 20-11)

6. Iowa (Last year’s record: 20-11) Jeffrey Becker, USA TODAY Sports

7. Wisconsin (Last year's record: 21-10)

7. Wisconsin (Last year’s record: 21-10) Mary Langenfeld, USA TODAY Sports

8. Duke (Last year's record: 25-6)

8. Duke (Last year’s record: 25-6) Jeremy Brevard, USA TODAY Sports

9. Kentucky (Last year's record: 25-6)

9. Kentucky (Last year’s record: 25-6) Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports

10. Illinois (Last year's record: 21-10)

10. Illinois (Last year’s record: 21-10) Joseph Maiorana, USA TODAY Sports

11. Creighton (Last year's record: 24-7)

11. Creighton (Last year’s record: 24-7) Steven Branscombe, USA TODAY Sports

12. Michigan State (Last year's record: 22-9)

12. Michigan State (Last year’s record: 22-9) Mike Carter, USA TODAY Sports

13. Texas Tech (Last year's record: 18-13)

13. Texas Tech (Last year’s record: 18-13) Rob Ferguson, USA TODAY Sports

14. Tennessee (Last year's record: 17-14)

14. Tennessee (Last year’s record: 17-14) Randy Sartin, USA TODAY Sports

15. West Virginia (Last year's record: 21-10)

15. West Virginia (Last year’s record: 21-10) Andrew Dieb, USA TODAY Sports

16. North Carolina (Last year's record: 14-19)

16. North Carolina (Last year’s record: 14-19) Jeremy Brevard, USA TODAY Sports

17. Arizona State (Last year's record: 20-11)

17. Arizona State (Last year’s record: 20-11) Casey Sapio, USA TODAY Sports

18. (tie) Houston (Last year's record: 23-8)

18. (tie) Houston (Last year’s record: 23-8) Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports

18. (tie) Florida State (Last year's record: 26-5)

18. (tie) Florida State (Last year’s record: 26-5) Glenn Beil, USA TODAY Sports

20. Oregon (Last year's record: 24-7)

20. Oregon (Last year’s record: 24-7) Soobum Im, USA TODAY Sports

21. UCLA (Last year's record: 19-12)

21. UCLA (Last year’s record: 19-12) Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports

22. Texas (Last year's record: 19-12)

22. Texas (Last year’s record: 19-12) Lola Gomez, Austin American-Statesman

23. Rutgers (Last year's record: 20-11)

23. Rutgers (Last year’s record: 20-11) Noah K. Murray, USA TODAY Sports

24. Ohio State (Last year's record: 21-10)

24. Ohio State (Last year’s record: 21-10) Joseph Maiorana, USA TODAY Sports

25. Alabama (Last year's record: 16-15)

25. Alabama (Last year’s record: 16-15) Vasha Hunt, AP

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