The Nebraska men’s basketball team broke into the USA Today preseason coaches’ poll released Thursday, as the Huskers were ranked 21st with a total of 153 points.

Nebraska, which is coming off a 19-13 season capped by an NCAA Tournament appearance, returns all five starters, including All-Big Ten selections Terran Petteway and Shavon Shields, heading into its season opener against Northern Kentucky on Nov. 16.

The Huskers are ranked in the preseason poll for only the second time since USA Today took over the poll in 1991, and the first since being ranked 22nd at the start of the 1992-93 season. It also marks the first time the Huskers have been ranked in the coaches’ poll since December of 1994.

The Big Ten is well represented with six schools featured in the preseason rankings by 32 Division I head coaches. The group is headed by Wisconsin, which was chosen as the Big Ten preseason favorite by the media on Thursday, as the Badgers are ranked fourth. Other ranked teams include Michigan State (18th), Ohio State (20th), Michigan (23rd) and Iowa (25th), while Minnesota and Illinois are also receiving votes.

Fans can get their first opportunity to see the Huskers on Wednesday, Oct. 29, as the Huskers host the Big Red Tip-Off at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The event is open to the public and begins at 6:30 p.m.