Coaches Poll Top 25 College Basketball Rankings released after Week 16

The USA TODAY Coaches Poll Top 25 has been updated following an outstanding sixteenth week for the 2024-2025 men’s college basketball season.

As the sport prepares for the end of February, the schedule continues to provide awesome matchups and intriguing results, each one mattering more than the last. Many of the top teams in the country were still able to stamp their mark on the week, while others fell in the process, leading to some serious changes throughout the Top 25.

With that in mind, the sport’s brightest coaching minds put their brains together to come up with some rankings after Week 16. Check out the Top 25 below, and see if your team made the cut as the season progresses.

1. Auburn

Auburn remains the top team in the country after another successful week. They took care of business in a major way, defeating Arkansas and Georgia handily.

This week, the Tigers will face Ole Miss on Wednesday, followed by a trip to Lexington to take on Kentucky on Saturday. At 25-2, they’ll have a shot to continuing building their impressive resume.

2. Duke (+1)

Duke notched a huge win over the weekend, defeating Illinois by 43 points. Seven Blue Devils ended up scoring at least ten points in what was a total domination of the Fighting Illini.

This week, they’re back taking on their fellow ACC teams. Miami and Florida State are on the schedule, and we could see some more blowouts, courtesy of Duke.

3. Florida (-1)

Florida moved to 24-3 this past week. Wins over Oklahoma and LSU helped build their already strong record, as Todd Golden’s team continues their rise.

A showdown with Georgia is on the docket for Tuesday in Athens, but their scheduled game with Texas A&M is the money game, as it’ll take place this coming weekend, and it should be a doozy.

4. Houston (+1)

Houston moved to 23-4 after a huge win over the weekend. They defeated Iowa State by nine in a showdown between two of the top teams in the Big 12.

Only four games remain on the schedule for the Cougars moving forward. They have two this week, and they’ll come against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Monday, and the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday afternoon.

5. Tennessee (+1)

Tennessee only had one game this past week, and it worked out in their favor. They defeated Texas A&M on the road by eight points over the weekend, with Chaz Lanier’s 30 points leading the way.

They’ll face LSU on Tuesday, but the real highly anticipated game on the docket is when the Volunteers welcome Alabama to town, and that’ll take place this coming Saturday.

6. Alabama (-2)

Alabama was in a bit of a rut, but they found their way over the weekend. They bounced back with a nice win over Kentucky by 14 points.

However, the schedule doesn’t lighten up this week for the Crimson Tide. They’ll face Mississippi State and Tennessee this week, as they look to improve their 22-5 record.

7. St. John’s (+2)

St. John’s has become one of the top teams in the country throughout the 2024-25 season. Rick Pitino has the Red Storm humming after another win over the UConn Huskies on Sunday inside Madison Square Garden. 

At 24-4, the sky is the limit for this St. John’s squad. They’re highly motivated, and they’ll face Butler and Seton Hall this week.

8. Michigan State (+5)

Michigan State had the best week of any team in the country, starting with a win over ranked Purdue before going on the road against in-state rival Michigan to take over the top spot in the Big Ten standings.

They’ll have two showdowns this week, as they look to continue their rise. Maryland and Wisconsin are on the docket, so there’s two more chances for resume-building victories for the Spartans.

9. Iowa State (-1)

Iowa State started the week with a win over Colorado, but then went into the weekend and took a loss against Houston to move them further away from the conference title picture. The loss may not hinder their overall resume too much, but it certainly stung for their confidence.

They have a shot to bounce back this week at least. The Cyclones will face Oklahoma State and Arizona this week, so they have a chance to get back on track. 

10. Texas Tech

Texas Tech dropped a road game against TCU early in the week, which could’ve hurt their chances they remain inside the Top 10 of the Coaches Poll this week. However, a bounce-back win over West Virginia lessened the blow.

Next up for the Red Raiders is a massive showdown with Houston on Monday evening. A win would go a long way towards establishing them as a true contender moving forward.

Coaches Poll Top 25 — Nos. 11-25:

11. Texas A&M (-4)
12. Wisconsin (-1)
13. Michigan (-1)
14. Clemson (+3)
15. Maryland (+5)
16. Missouri
17. Louisville (+5)
18. Memphis (+1)
19. Purdue (-5)
20. Saint Mary’s (+4)
21. Arizona (-3)
22. Marquette (-7)
23. Kentucky (-2)
24. Mississippi State (-1)
25. Creighton (NR)

Schools Dropped Out: No. 25 Kansas

Others Receiving Votes: BYU 39; New Mexico 29; VCU 22; Ole Miss 15; UC San Diego 14; UCLA 13; Utah State 11; Kansas 11; Gonzaga 7; UConn 5; Drake 2; UC Davis 1; Oregon 1

As you can tell, this is where college basketball’s top coaches landed this week on their rankings. Check back next week to find out if your team made a move up the ladder in the USA TODAY Coaches Top 25 Poll, which is bound to fluctuate throughout the season.