The AP Top 25 preseason men’s college basketball rankings are here for 2024-2025. Kansas leads the preseason poll for the second year in a row.
Here is the AP Top 25, along with some initial reactions and takeaways from the rankings:
|
RANKING |
TEAM |
POINTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas (30) | 1,449 |
| 2 | Alabama (14) | 1,428 |
| 3 | UConn (11) | 1,345 |
| 4 | Houston (4) | 1,343 |
| 5 | Iowa State | 1,177 |
| 6 | Gonzaga (1) | 1,157 |
| 7 | Duke | 1,154 |
| 8 | Baylor | 1,109 |
| 9 | North Carolina | 1,037 |
| 10 | Arizona | 905 |
| 11 | Auburn | 901 |
| 12 | Tennessee | 775 |
| 13 | Texas A&M | 737 |
| 14 | Purdue | 678 |
| 15 | Creighton | 631 |
| 16 | Arkansas | 625 |
| 17 | Indiana | 492 |
| 18 | Marquette | 484 |
| 19 | Texas | 332 |
| 20 | Cincinnati | 271 |
| 21 | Florida | 249 |
| 22 | UCLA | 210 |
| 23 | Kentucky | 191 |
| 24 | Ole Miss | 132 |
| 25 | Rutgers | 102 |
Kansas is No. 1 again
This marks the Jayhawks’ fifth time as the preseason No. 1, placing them third all-time in most appearances at the top.
Last season, Gonzaga eliminated Kansas in the NCAA tournament’s second round, but it’s determined to make a deeper run this year. The Jayhawks are headlined by Hunter Dickinson, who was named Preseason Player of the Year for the second straight season, and Dajuan Harris Jr., who earned a spot on the preseason All-Big 12 Second Team. Additionally, Kansas has bolstered its lineup with top-tier recruits like Flory Bidunga and Rakease Passmore, positioning the team for a potential championship run.
The reigning champs are No. 3
UConn currently holds the No. 3 ranking after clinching its second straight championship in April. Head coach Dan Hurley turned down an NBA opportunity with the Los Angeles Lakers to pursue a historic three-peat, which would make the Huskies only the second program in NCAA tournament history to achieve this feat.
The Huskies will benefit from the return of Alex Karaban and Samson Johnson to their lineup. Additionally, UConn has acquired standout guard Aidan Mahaney from Saint Mary’s. The team has also bolstered its roster with impressive freshman additions, including Ahmad Nowell, Isaiah Abraham, and Liam McNeeley.
CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY: Programs that have claimed the championship title since 1939
Final Four teams scattered throughout the poll
Purdue was the only team from last season’s preseason top four to actually make the Final Four.
In this year’s rankings, just two of last season’s Final Four teams cracked the top four. Alabama leads the way at No. 2, followed by defending national champions UConn at No. 3. Despite their run to the national championship game last year, Purdue is ranked No. 14 in the preseason poll, while NC State, another Final Four team, did not make the rankings at all.
MORE KATZ: Ranking the top 10 bounce-back teams for the 2024-25 season
Conference realignment
Preseason top 25 teams entering new conferences will face a fresh slate of competition as they adjust to unfamiliar opponents and environments.
| SCHOOL | NEW CONFERENCE | Prev. CONFERENCE |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Big 12 | Pac-12 |
| Texas | SEC | Big 12 |
| UCLA | Big Ten | Pac-12 |
Endia Berger joined the NCAA Digital Editorial team in 2024, bringing a diverse sports media and journalism background. A University of Cincinnati graduate, she has held key roles with the NCAA, USA Football, and WKRC Local 12, among others. Endia believes in the power of storytelling to inspire and empower individuals, making a meaningful impact.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NCAA or its member institutions.
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