With one of the most talented rosters in program history, expectations are high for Miami Hurricanes Men’s Hoops this year. Those hopes and dreams gained traction today when the Canes were voted 12th in the preseason USA Today Coaches poll.

This ranking is the highest-ever preseason ranking for Canes Hoops, and is a testament to the program that Head Coach Jim Larranaga has built in Coral Gables.

Here’s more from Miami Athletics:

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami men's basketball team will begin the season as No. 12 in the USA TODAY Sports men's basketball coaches poll, the publication released Thursday.

The Hurricanes (21-12, 10-8 ACC last season) finished in the top half of the 25-team poll after collecting a total of 383 points, 34 more than No. 13 Cincinnati.

This is the fourth time that Miami begins the season in the USA TODAY preseason coaches poll. The No. 12 ranking is the Hurricanes' highest preseason ranking ever and the team's highest ranking since the final poll for the 2015-16 season, during which the Canes made a run to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

Miami was the third-highest Atlantic Coast Conference team in the poll. Duke topped the poll with 20 out of the 32 first-place votes for a total of 774 points. Defending national champion North Carolina was ranked ninth with 515 points. Last season, the Hurricanes defeated both the Tar Heels – 77-62 on Jan. 28 – and the Blue Devils – 55-50 on Feb. 25 in ACC play.

No. 14 Notre Dame (305 points) and No. 16 Louisville (295) concluded the ACC representation in the poll.

The Hurricanes open the 2017-18 season on Nov. 10, against Gardner-Webb at the Watsco Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.

Miami is one of 5 ACC teams ranked in the preseason USA Today Coaches poll. The whole list, and rankings of ACC teams, can be seen here:

With great coaching and a wealth of talent, Canes Hoops looks to take this preseason ranking and use it to propel them to a strong season.

Our Canes Hoops countdown to tip-off starts next week, so be sure you stay tuned to State of the U for all your Canes Hoops needs.

Go Canes