Friday, Oct. 31, 2008 | 3:36 p.m.
While several national preseason publications have the UNLV men's basketball set to begin the 2008-09 season in their respective Top 25 polls, such is not the case for the country's two most recognized polls - the AP poll and the USA Today/Coaches poll.
North Carolina, who returns a loaded lineup highlighted by senior forward Tyler Hansbrough, is the unanimous No. 1 in each poll. The Tar Heels grabbed all 72 first-place votes in the AP, and 31 in the coaches.
The Rebels aren't far off, though. In the AP poll, UNLV is the second team listed in the 'Others Receiving Votes' group. First off the poll is Xavier, who received 154 votes, followed by UNLV with 143 and Baylor with 128.
In the ESPN/USA Today poll, UNLV was the first team left off, receiving 60 votes, followed by St. Mary's with 54 and Ohio State with 54.
The Rebels' opening night foe, San Diego, received one vote in each poll. Their New Year's Eve foe, Louisville, is ranked third in each poll.
No Mountain West Conference teams landed in the AP or ESPN/USA Today poll. BYU received 13 votes in the Coaches poll and 16 from the AP. New Mexico took three votes from the Associated Press.
UNLV plays its lone exhibition contest on Nov. 11 at the Thomas & Mack Center against Washburn, and opens the regular season against San Diego at home on Nov. 15.
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