Despite losing Gerald Henderson and falling in the Sweet 16 last year, Duke is getting plenty of respect from the media again this year.

The Blue Devils were ranked ninth in the initial Associated Press poll released Thursday. The top three are Kansas, Michigan State and Texas.

Three other ACC teams appear in the first poll of the year. North Carolina is ranked sixth even with several high-profile departures, and Georgia Tech and Clemson are ranked 22nd and 24th, respectively.

Maryland is the team outside of the top 25 with the most votes.

In the ESPN/USA Today coaches’ poll, Duke is ranked eighth and the Tar Heels fourth.

Singler named to award watch list

Junior Kyle Singler, the ACC Preseason Player of the Year, has been named to the Naismith Award preseason watch list, one of nine ACC players to be included on the 50-man list.

Seven Duke players have won the Naismith Award as the nation’s best player, among them Johnny Dawkins, Christian Laettner, Jason Williams and J.J. Redick.