For the second straight season, and eighth time in the last decade, the University of Arizona men's basketball team will open the season with a top-25 ranking in both major college basketball polls.

Arizona was ranked 12th in the 2012-13 preseason Associated Press poll released today, receiving a total of 902 points, marking Arizona's highest appearance in the preseason national rankings since 2006-07 when both the AP and the coaches' poll ranked UA 10th to open the season.

Since the start of the 1987-88 campaign, Arizona has been ranked in 21 of 26 preseason media polls in that period with the only exceptions coming in 1995-96, 2001-02, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11.

UA received a No. 16 preseason ranking from the AP a year ago.

The Wildcats open 2012-13 with an exhibition game against Humboldt State on Oct. 31 at 6:30 p.m. PDT in McKale Memorial Center. The regular season opener vs. Charleston Southern is scheduled for Nov. 11 at 4 p.m.