With the biggest week of the non-conference schedule ahead, many of college basketball’s top teams played in big games over the past several days to warm up for Feast Week tournaments. With those results, the AP Poll Top 25 rankings are sure to show movement.
The Maui Invitational, Players Era Festival and Battle 4 Atlantis are just the headliners of a big week for multi-team events across the country. The tournament format leaves plenty of college basketball’s top teams with a chance to change how they are viewed.
Ahead of that action, here is a predictive look at what the second regular season 2024-25 AP Poll Top 25 could look on Monday.
Predicted AP Poll Top 25
1. Kansas (Last Week: 1)
After taking care of business in a buy game against UNC Wilmington this week, the Jayhawks look likely to hold onto their top spot in the AP Poll. Next week presents a bigger test, facing Duke in Las Vegas with a chance to cement their spot once again.
2. UConn (Last Week: 2)
UConn defeated East Texas A&M despite an angry postgame press conference by Dan Hurley. The Huskies how head to the Maui Invitational where they open play against Memphis.
3. Gonzaga (Last Week: 3)
Gonzaga is one of the few teams to play two games this week, defeating SDSU and Long Beach State in preparation for next week’s Battle 4 Atlantis. There, the Bulldogs’ first game will come against West Virginia.
4. Auburn (Last Week: 4)
Auburn has not played since Monday, when they defeated North Alabama convincingly. They look to jump even higher in the AP Poll by competing in the Maui Invitational where Iowa State is their first opponent.
5. Iowa State (Last Week: 5)
Iowa State also played one game this week, taking down IU Indy to remain undefeated. The non-conference schedule picks up next week for the Cyclones, starting with a matchup against Auburn in the Maui Invitational.
6. Houston (Last Week: 7)
Houston played its first game in nine days on Friday, beating Hofstra handily. Now, the Cougars prepare for the first Players Era Festival, starting with games against Alabama and Notre Dame.
7. Alabama (Last Week: 8)
Alabama bounced back from its first loss of the season on the road vs. Purdue, picking up a neutral site win over Illinois. The Crimson Tide now travel to the Players Era Festival where they will face Houston and Rutgers to begin.
8. Kentucky (Last Week: 9)
Kentucky has picked up two wins in the BBN Invitational over the past week, first against Lipscomb and then Jackson State. The Wildcats wrap up that event on Tuesday against Western Kentucky, then play Georgia State to wrap up November.
9. North Carolina (Last Week: 10)
North Carolina traveled to Hawaii early and came away with a win on Friday night. Now, the Tar Heels compete in the Maui Invitational with their first game against Dayton.
10. Tennessee (Last Week: 11)
Tennessee won the Baha Mar Championship this week after beating Virginia and Baylor to claim the title. The Volunteers will have in-state opponent UT-Martin this week after playing in one of the earliest MTEs.
Predicting 11-25
11. Purdue (Last Week: 6)
12. Duke (Last Week: 12)
13. Marquette (Last Week: 15)
14. Indiana (Last Week: 16)
15. Baylor (Last Week: 13)
16. Cincinnati (Last Week: 18)
17. Wisconsin (Last Week: 19)
18. Arkansas (Last Week: 20)
19. Creighton (Last Week: 14)
20. Florida (Last Week: 21)
21. Texas A&M (Last Week: 23)
22. Arizona (Last Week: 17)
23. Ole Miss (Last Week: NR)
24. Xavier (Last Week: NR)
25. Texas (Last Week: NR)
Projected to drop out: St. John’s (Last Week: 22), Rutgers (Last Week: 24), Illinois (Last Week: 25)
