AP Poll Top 25 College Basketball Rankings released after Week 8

The newest college basketball rankings are here as the 2024-25 AP Poll Top 25 was updated after Week 8 of the season.

Now that we are in the holiday season, we can clearly see the contenders of the season. There’s still a long way to go, but there are some top tier teams this season.

With that, let’s dive into the AP Poll Top 25 rankings following the conclusion of month number two.

1. Tennessee

The Volunteers are 12-0 on the season following an 82-64 win over Middle Tennessee last Monday. They’ll be back in action Tuesday against Norfolk State.

In their latest win, Chaz Lanier led the way with 23 points, four rebounds and one assist. Zakai Zeigler added 17 points, four rebounds and 15 assists for an impressive double-double.

2. Auburn

Auburn has had some time off since the win over Purdue but will be back in action Monday night against Monmouth. Following the non-conference tilt, the Tigers will head into SEC play on Saturday, taking on Missouri.

Going into the weekend, Auburn did not have a ranked opponent on the schedule until January 14th vs. Mississippi State and No. 1 Tennessee on the 25th. This team could certainly get on a roll.

3. Iowa State

Iowa State also had a long break over Christmas and haven’t played a game since a win over Morgan State on the 22nd. But, the Cyclones are back in action Monday night at Colorado.

Then, the schedule starts to heat up with Baylor on Saturday and eventually Kansas on the 15th. Can this team keep it up?

4. Duke

Duke will return to the floor Tuesday following 10 days off. The last time the Blue Devils were in action was an 82-56 win over Georgia Tech.

Virginia Tech is the foe coming to town Tuesday before the Blue Devils go to SMU on Saturday. Right now, Duke doesn’t have a ranked opponent until Illinois in February on the docket.

5. Alabama

Alabama returned to the court Sunday with a dominant 105-82 win over South Dakota State. The Crimson Tide are now 12-2 ahead of a showdown with a ranked Oklahoma team Saturday.

In the win over the Jackrabbits, Aden Holloway put up 26 points, one rebound and two assists. Labaron Philon and Mark Sears put up 21 and 20 points, respectively.

6. Florida

Florida improved to 14-0 on the season with an 84-45 win over Stetson on Sunday. It was the first game for the Gators since the 21st.

Coming up are games against Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas all within the first 11 days of January. So yeah, the gauntlet is here and we’ll see if the Gators are for real.

7. Kansas

Kansas has been off since December 22nd but will be back in action against West Virginia Tuesday. As it stands, the Jayhawks are 10-2 this season following a dominant win over Brown last week.

The Jayhawks also circled two ranked opponents on their docket: Cincinnati and Iowa State on January 11th and 15th. Otherwise, Kansas should be favorites in most of their games moving forward.

8. Marquette

Marquette had over 10 days off since their last time on the court, beating Xavier 72-70 on the road. The Golden Eagles will be back in action Tuesday against Providence. 

As it stands, Marquette does not have a ranked opponent on the schedule until UConn on February 1st. It’s time for Shaka Smart to start collecting more wins right?

9. Oregon

Don’t let the fact that Oregon’s football team is the No. 1 seed in the CFP. The Ducks on the basketball court won again Sunday, beating down Weber State 89-49 to improve to 13-1.

Jackson Shelstad led the way with 16 points, one rebound and two assists. Brandon Angel and Jadrian Tracey added 14 points a piece in the win.

10. Kentucky

Kentucky hasn’t played since a bad loss to Ohio State, 85-65, on December 21st. But, the Wildcats are back in action against Brown Tuesday and get a real test against Florida on January 4th.

Was the Ohio State game just a blip on the radar? Maybe so. But they’ll have to turn it back up to convince people outside of Lexington.

AP Poll Top 25 after Week 8

11. UConn
12. Oklahoma
13. Texas A&M
14. Houston (+1)
15. UCLA (+7)
16. Cincinnati (+1)
17. Mississippi State (+2)
18. Michigan State
19. Gonzaga (-5)
20. Purdue (+1)
21. Memphis
22. Illinois (+2)
23. Arkansas
24. Ole Miss (-8)
25. Baylor

Others receiving votes in AP Poll: Maryland 133, Drake 100, St. John’s 98, Dayton 90, Michigan 65, Utah St. 59, Georgia 48, Pittsburgh 35, West Virginia 30, San Diego St. 28, Ohio St. 19, Missouri 19, North Carolina 19, Arizona St 13, Indiana 11, Texas Tech 8, Clemson 8, Wisconsin 7, Penn St. 5, St. Bonaventure 2, Nebraska 1.