College Basketball Rankings: Predicting the final AP Poll Top 25 as Florida is crowned national champion

The NCAA Tournament has come and gone, and Florida is now the 2025 national champion. As the season closes, it is time for the final AP Poll Top 25 to reveal the final rankings. With new numbers next to each team’s name, this is the last chance to rate teams heading into the offseason changes.

The season has featured plenty twists and turns, leading into one of the most unpredictable March Madness runs in recent memory. Among the contenders, many have seen ups and downs throughout the season but reached their potential in the biggest moment.

With no more games on the schedule until next season, it is time to reflect on the resumes of teams for the final time. With movement everywhere, here is a predictive look at what the final 2024-25 AP Poll Top 25 could look like on Tuesday.

Predicted AP Poll Top 25

1. Florida (Last Week: 4)

Florida showed itself to be in an elite group of college basketball teams all season with its balance of star power and functional depth which ultimately took over on multiple occasions through March Madness on the way to lifting the national title. The Gators ran the gauntlet against the best and leave as the unquestioned No. 1 team in the sport.

2. Houston (Last Week: 2)

Houston made a historic run through the NCAA Tournament which was headlined by a comeback win over Duke in the Final Four, but they could not hold onto a lead late in the national championship game and walk away the runner-up. The Cougars bow out with no reason to hang their heads and still hold a spot alongside college basketball’s best.

3. Duke (Last Week: 1)

Duke looked unstoppable for long stretches of the NCAA Tournament, but a bad stretch of basketball in the Final Four left them out against Houston. The Blue Devils still put together a season which proved their worth as one of the top teams in college basketball and should end with reward in the final AP Poll.

4. Auburn (Last Week: 3)

Auburn made the Final Four for the second time in program history, but lost to SEC rival Florida to end their dominant season. The Tigers held the best resume in college basketball throughout the season, but come just short of playing for the ultimate prize.

5. Alabama (Last Week: 5)

Alabama made a run to the Elite Eight to finish its season, eventually falling to Duke in the East Region. However, the wins they picked up along the way in the NCAA Tournament hold them steady here in the final Top 25 projections.

6. Michigan State (Last Week: 7)

Michigan State advanced to the Elite Eight in the South Region, eventually falling to Auburn. The Spartans made plenty case to climb up the board in the final AP Poll with impressive performances throughout the month.

7. Texas Tech (Last Week: 9)

Texas Tech made its way to the Elite Eight, and even gave Florida a scare before bowing out of the West Region. The NCAA Tournament run of the Red Raiders did plenty to move them up the board and into the mix of top teams to lose in the round.

8. Tennessee (Last Week: 8)

Tennessee suffered a blowout loss against Houston in the Elite Eight, knocking them out of the Midwest Region. However, there was a lot to like about the Volunteers’ run to that point in March Madness this year.

9. St. John’s (Last Week: 6)

St. John’s did not have the NCAA Tournament run it was looking for, bowing out in the first weekend after an upset against Arkansas. However, even as the rare upset in the field, there was enough to like over the course of the season to hold off a drastic Top 25 fall.

10. Maryland (Last Week: 11)

Maryland lands the top spot among teams which lost in the Sweet 16, losing to Florida in the West Region after two wins added to the season. The Terrapins put up plenty big performances throughout the year to establish themselves as a potential Top 10 team in the final AP Poll.

Predicting 11-25

11. Kentucky (Last Week: 15)
12. BYU (Last Week: 17)
13. Purdue (Last Week: 20)
14. Michigan (Last Week: 22)
15. Arizona (Last Week: NR)
16. Ole Miss (Last Week: NR)
17. Iowa State (Last Week: 12)
18. Texas A&M (Last Week: 14)
19. Arkansas (Last Week: NR)
20. Wisconsin (Last Week: 18)
21. Clemson (Last Week: 10)
22. Louisville (Last Week: 13)
23. St. Mary’s (Last Week: 19)
24. Illinois (Last Week: 24)
25. Drake (Last Week: NR)