It’s not like college football, where rankings are everything and shape public – and CFP committee – opinion, but finishing strong in the final college basketball polls is significant.
The USA TODAY Coaches Poll wrapped up the pre-conference tournament rankings with a twist. Auburn fell from first to third place, while Houston rose to second place and Rick Pitino’s resurgent St. John’s team entered the top five.
The Big Ten saw some drops, with Wisconsin, Michigan, and Purdue all coming off tough games, but overall things are looking good, with Illinois breaking into the top 25 and seven teams – Oregon just missed – in the top 26.
Before the major conference tournaments begin, the final regular season USA TODAY Sports Top 25 Coaches Poll is…
USA TODAY Sports College Basketball Coaches Poll Top 25, Week 19
Latest AP Poll Top 25
College Basketball Rankings
51-68 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10
NCAA Tournament Bracket Projections
Others Receiving Votes: Oregon 48; New Mexico 41; Drake 39; Creighton 38; UC San Diego 32; UCLA 19; Gonzaga 18; VCU 13; UConn 9; Ole Miss 9; Kansas 6; Mississippi State 4; High Point 1
25 Illinois
Points: Record: 20-11
Last Week Rank: NR
NCAA Tournament Projection: 6
24 Arizona
Record: 19-10
Last Week Rank: 23
NCAA Tournament Projection: 5
23 Marquette
Record: 22-9
Last Week Rank: 20
NCAA Tournament Projection: 6
22 Missouri
Points: Record: 21-10
Last Week Rank: 19
NCAA Tournament Projection: 5
21 Michigan
Points: Record: 22-9
Last Week Rank: 15
NCAA Tournament Projection: 5
20 Purdue
Points: Record: 21-10
Last Week Rank: 18
NCAA Tournament Projection: 4
19 Kentucky
Points: Record: 21-10
Last Week Rank: 24
NCAA Tournament Projection: 4
18 BYU
Points: Record: 23-8
Last Week Rank: 22
NCAA Tournament Projection: 7
17 Memphis
Points: Record: 26-5
Last Week Rank: 16
NCAA Tournament Projection: 3
16 Texas A&M
Points: Record: 22-9
Last Week Rank: 21
NCAA Tournament Projection: 3
15 Saint Mary’s
Points: Record: 27-4
Last Week Rank: 17
NCAA Tournament Projection: 6
14 Wisconsin
Points: Record: 23-8
Last Week Rank: 12
NCAA Tournament Projection: 3
13 Louisville
Points: Record: 25-6
Last Week Rank: 13
NCAA Tournament Projection: 6
12 Iowa State
Points: Record: 23-8
Last Week Rank: 10
NCAA Tournament Projection: 3
11 Maryland
Points: Record: 23-8
Last Week Rank: 14
NCAA Tournament Projection: 4
10 Clemson
Points: Record: 26-5
Last Week Rank: 11
NCAA Tournament Projection: 5
9 Texas Tech
Points: Record: 24-7
Last Week Rank: 9
NCAA Tournament Projection: 3
8 Alabama
Points: Record: 24-7
Last Week Rank: 8
NCAA Tournament Projection: 2
6 Tennessee
Points: Record: 25-6
Last Week Rank: 4
NCAA Tournament Projection: 2
6 Michigan State
Points: Record: 25-5
Last Week Rank: 7
NCAA Tournament Projection: 2
5 St. John’s
Points: Record: 27-4
Last Week Rank: 6
NCAA Tournament Projection: 2
4 Florida
Points: Record: 27-4
Last Week Rank: 5
NCAA Tournament Projection: 1
3 Auburn
Points: Record: 27-4
Last Week Rank: 1
NCAA Tournament Projection: 1
2 Houston
Points: Record: 27-4
Last Week Rank: 3
NCAA Tournament Projection: 1
1 Duke
Points: 770 (26)
Record: 28-3
Last Week Rank: 2
NCAA Tournament Projection: 1
