The AP Poll Top 25 voters once again must rank the best college basketball teams in the country as the calendar flips to December. One week after a full reshuffle which saw teams shift up and down the board, a new No. 1 is sure to emerge.
Losses by Kansas and Auburn on the same night promise to shake up the top of the rankings and leave a vacuum ready to be filled among the elite, while other results across the country leave the rest of the spots in the air as well.
As conference play begins in certain parts of the country, here is a predictive look at what the 2024-25 AP Poll Top 25 could look on Monday.
Predicted AP Poll Top 25
1. Tennessee (Last Week: 3)
Tennessee climbs the board to the No. 1 spot in the projected AP Poll Top 25 by remaining unbeaten in a week where those above them fall for the first time this season. The strength of schedule is not great for the Volunteers, but they have demolished everyone in front of them.
2. Auburn (Last Week: 2)
Despite a road loss against Duke this week, Auburn likely still has the best all-around resume in the country. However, it is difficult to make the case for a team fresh off a loss to move into the top spot in the Top 25.
3. Iowa State (Last Week: 6)
Iowa State picked up a big win against Marquette during the week, promising to move them back up the board after watching others fall. The Cyclones can now make a case among the best resumes in the Big 12 to this point in the non-conference schedule.
4. Duke (Last Week: 9)
Duke was able to use its homecourt advantage to fend off Auburn, proving they can win tight games against the best teams in college basketball. In an ACC which struggled, the Blue Devils remain an undoubted bright spot.
5. Kentucky (Last Week: 4)
Kentucky had a difficult start to the week, dropping a game against Clemson in the SEC/ACC Challenge. But the Wildcats bounced back with a big win against Gonzaga which should keep them among the top teams in the country with only one loss so far.
6. Marquette (Last Week: 5)
Despite suffering a midweek loss against Iowa State, Marquette did not allow the result to linger. The Golden Eagles bounced back with a Top 25 win over Wisconsin to limit the damage done to their upcoming ranking.
7. Kansas (Last Week: 1)
Kansas suffered its first defeated of the season on the road against Creighton, knocking them off the No. 1 spot in the AP Poll Top 25 for the first time this season. The Jayhawks followed it up with a loss against Missouri which promises to drop them further down the board.
8. Alabama (Last Week: 10)
Alabama exited the week with a win over North Carolina added to the resume. While the results for the Crimson Tide have remained up and down in big games, the schedule provides them no shortage of opportunities.
9. Gonzaga (Last Week: 7)
Gonzaga suffered a loss to Kentucky in its only game of the week, a hit to their non-conference resume after leading early and taking it to overtime. The Bulldogs remain in the most important stretch of their season when it comes to stacking up big wins.
10. Florida (Last Week: 13)
Oregon continues to rattle off wins and improve their standing in the AP Poll Top 25 while others around them drop down. The Ducks kept their early success running into the Big Ten conference schedule with a pair of wins.
Predicting 11-25
11. Purdue (Last Week: 8)
12. Houston (Last Week: 17)
13. Oregon (Last Week: 12)
14. Oklahoma (Last Week: 21)
15. Wisconsin (Last Week: 11)
16. Cincinnati (Last Week: 14)
17. Texas A&M (Last Week: 22)
18. UConn (Last Week: 25)
19. Baylor (Last Week: 15)
20. Missouri (Last Week: NR)
21. Pittsburgh (Last Week: 18)
22. Michigan (Last Week: NR)
23. Ole Miss (Last Week: 23)
24. Michigan State (Last Week: NR)
25. Memphis (Last Week: 16)
Projected to drop out: Illinois (Last Week: 19), North Carolina (Last Week: 20), SDSU (Last Week: 24)
