Final AP Poll Top 25 revealed following college basketball national championship

The final AP Poll is here and the top 25 teams of the 2023-24 season are stamped into history following the national championship game.

UConn defeated Purdue to win the title Monday night and cap off an epic season. They cemented themselves as the top team in the sport.

Let’s dive into the final AP Poll of the 2024 college basketball season.

1. UConn

National champions again! UConn won back to back titles, becoming the first team to do so in almost 20 years of the sport.

Dan Hurley’s name will surely come up in the Kentucky coaching search. But make no mistake, UConn is a college basketball blue blood.

2. Purdue (+1)

Purdue came up short to give the Big Ten its first national champion in over two decades. Zach Edey and crew fell short to an absolute juggernaut.

Still, this team will reload as Matt Painter proved the Boilermakers could get over the hump. But, they played second fiddle to the Huskies this season.

T-3. Alabama (+16)

Alabama made quite the run by getting to the Final Four for the first time in school history. Nate Oats also said he is staying despite rumors of Kentucky.

Those are all good signs for the Crimson Tide moving forward. All of a sudden, this is one of the SEC power programs on the hardwood.

T-3. Houston (-1)

Houston was thought of a team that could get picked off as a No. 1 seed this year. Unfortunately, the Cougars were bounced in the Sweet 16 by Duke.

Houston lost the Big 12 title game and exited the Big Dance early. Despite 32 wins, 2024 felt a little empty. But there’s always next year for Kelvin Sampson.

5. Tennessee (+1)

Tennessee was oh so close to proving it was a Final Four team. But the Volunteers fell short to eventual runner up Purdue in the Elite Eight.

It was a solid run by Rick Barnes’ crew following an early exit in the SEC Tournament. But this squad should be a contender once again in 2025.

6. Illinois (+4)

Illinois won a Big Ten title and made it to the Elite Eight. Safe to say, it was a solid season for the Fighting Illini.

However, they ran into a freight train named UConn, just shy of the Final Four. Still, Illinois finished 29-9 on the season and set up nicely for 2025.

7. North Carolina (-2)

North Carolina was another No. 1 seed that fell short of expectations in the tournament. The Tar Heels fell to Alabama, which advanced to the Final Four, in the Sweet 16.

Not only that, UNC fell to rival NC State in the ACC Tournament, another Final Four team. It was a tough end to the season, but the Tar Heels have juice under Hubert Davis.

8. Iowa State (-4)

Iowa State was a No. 2 seed going into the tournament but fell a little short of expectations. The Cyclones lost to Illinois in the Sweet 156 72-69.

Still, Iowa State won a Big 12 Tournament title with a win over Houston. Overall, it was a successful season but the Cyclones will definitely think, what if?

9. Duke (+4)

Duke had a great run after being upset in the ACC Tournament. Unfortunately for the Blue Devils, they ran into a familiar foe in NC State.

The Wolfpack upset Duke in the Elite Eight. If that doesn’t happen, perhaps Jon Scheyer’s crew finishes higher on this list going into next season.

10. NC State

NC State went on a magical run from the ACC Tournament to the Final Four with nine consecutive wins to make a Final Four appearance under Kevin Keatts. In addition, DJ Burns saw his NIL value soar as the March Madness star everyone wanted.

The Wolfpack can now carry the momentum of a postseason run into the offseason by getting involved with several talented transfer targets.

Rest of AP Poll Top 25

11. Arizona (-2)
12. Marquette (-4)
13. Creighton (-2)
14. Clemson
15. Gonzaga (+3)
16. Baylor (-2)
17. San Diego State (+7)
18. Auburn (-11)
19. Kansas (-2)
20. Kentucky (-8)
21. Saint Mary’s (-6)
22. Utah State (-2)
23. Washington State (+2)
24. South Carolina (-8)
25. Dayton

Others receiving votes: Texas A&M 87, Oregon 77, Colorado 75, BYU 71, Texas 62, James Madison 61, Seton Hall 39, Grand Canyon 37, Wisconsin 27, Northwestern 23, Texas Tech 19, Indiana St 18, Miami 13, Michigan St. 12, Duquesne 9, Yale 7, Arkansas 6, New Mexico 6, Colorado St. 5, Maryland 5, Florida 4, Rutgers 2, Oakland 1, Nevada 1.

Now that there’s another college basketball season in the books, it’s time to turn the page to 2024-25. Remember, we can now sleep.