Fansided

College Basketball AP Top 25 Poll Released: 5 Takeaways

ByConnor Learn|
March 23, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski speaks to media during practice the day before the semifinals of the West regional of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
March 23, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski speaks to media during practice the day before the semifinals of the West regional of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
1 of 6

The Associated Press released their Preseason Top 25 poll Monday afternoon. Here are five takeaways from the top 25.

With the college basketball season set to tip off November 11, the release of the AP Top 25 is a sign that the season is near.

Both the Associated Press and the Coaches Polls are now out, and teams are preparing for their first matchups.

  1. Duke
  2. Kentucky
  3. Kansas
  4. Villanova
  5. Oregon
  6.  North Carolina
  7. Xavier
  8. Virginia
  9. Wisconsin
  10. Arizona
  11. Indiana
  12. Michigan State
  13. Louisville
  14. Gonzaga
  15. Purdue
  16. UCLA
  17. Saint Mary’s
  18. Connecticut
  19. Syracuse
  20. West Virginia
  21. Texas
  22. Creighton
  23. Rhode Island
  24. Iowa State
  25. Maryland

What takeaways can we take from this poll about these teams? Here’s five to keep in mind for the coming college basketball season.

Apr 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Kris Jenkins (2) and forward Daniel Ochefu (23) celebrates after beating the North Carolina Tar Heels in the championship game of the 2016 NCAA Men
Apr 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Kris Jenkins (2) and forward Daniel Ochefu (23) celebrates after beating the North Carolina Tar Heels in the championship game of the 2016 NCAA Men

1. AP Poll similar to Coaches Poll

The Associated Press Poll and Coaches Poll derive their rankings as a consensus from their namesakes. The coaches and press are naturally the most tuned into college sports, and they are the most esteemed in college hoops. There usually isn’t too great of a difference between them, though they do vary in any given week.

Though difficult to peg, it’s fair to say that the AP Poll is more reactionary whereas the Coaches Poll tends to be steadier. And with no games having taken place, the two polls are remarkably similar.

More from Mens Basketball

Duke opened No. 1 in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls, receiving 85 of 97 possible first place votes. They had the same variation of three teams in spots 2-4, with each also having Oregon and North Carolina fifth and sixth respectively.

Overall they included 24 of the same teams in the top 25—Cincinnati appears at 25th in the Coaches Poll and Iowa State is ranked 25th in the AP Poll. There of course is variance in the polls, but they are fairly similar.

Going forward, teams will lose and teams will win, and there will be more variance in the respective polls. However, it is notable that they open the season so close. It suggests that this season could have more clear tiers than previous seasons: a set number of top teams, a tier below, and then teams vying to be ranked.

The last couple of seasons of college basketball have had overall parity between teams and a lot teams rose up and down polls quickly. Simply put, if there is a clear agreement that certain teams will be good, then usually those teams will be good. There is a lot of agreement in the top of the polls this year, and that could mean these teams stay top of the ranks.