AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll: Latest Rankings

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The Associated Press (AP) college basketball poll is a weekly ranking of the top 25 men's college basketball teams in the United States, voted on by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. It is one of the most influential college basketball polls, widely followed by fans, coaches, and players.

How the AP Poll Works

The AP poll consists of votes from a panel of 63 sportswriters and broadcasters from across the nation. Each voter ranks their top 25 teams, and points are awarded based on each team's ranking (25 points for a first-place vote, 24 for second, and so on).

The poll is released weekly, typically on Mondays, throughout the college basketball season, which runs from November to March. The final AP poll is released after the NCAA Tournament.

Current Rankings

As of November 27, 2024:

  1. Arizona
  2. Kansas
  3. Marquette
  4. Michigan State
  5. Purdue
  6. Baylor
  7. Houston
  8. Creighton
  9. Kentucky
  10. Miami
  11. Gonzaga
  12. Texas
  13. Auburn
  14. Arkansas
  15. UConn
  16. Tennessee
  17. North Carolina
  18. Colorado
  19. BYU
  20. Iowa State
  21. Villanova
  22. Duke
  23. Wisconsin
  24. Texas A&M
  25. Illinois

Key Takeaways

  • Arizona remains at the top spot this week.
  • There were some shifts in the rankings after a holiday weekend full of tournament play.
  • Conference play is about to begin, and that will shake things up even more.

Impact of the AP Poll

The AP poll significantly impacts college basketball in several ways:

  • NCAA Tournament Selection: The NCAA Tournament selection committee considers the AP poll, among other factors, when selecting and seeding teams for the tournament.
  • Recruiting: High rankings in the AP poll can boost a program's recruiting efforts, as top recruits often want to play for successful teams.
  • Fan Interest: The AP poll drives fan interest in college basketball, creating discussion and debate about which teams are the best.

The AP poll is a key barometer of success in college basketball, influencing everything from tournament selection to recruiting. As the season progresses, the rankings will continue to evolve, providing fans with plenty to talk about.

Check back next week for the latest AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll!