What Days Do College Basketball Rankings Come Out? Your Weekly Update Schedule Explained
Every college basketball fan feels the heartbeat of the season in the national rankings.
The Associated Press (AP) Top 25 rankings drop every Monday, usually early afternoon, and give everyone a fresh look at how the top programs stack up. Coaches, players, and fans all check these updates for the latest snapshot of who’s climbing and who’s slipping as the season rolls on.
Tracking these rankings matters for anyone who cares about the sport, whether you’re a die-hard or you just tune in for the big games.
Knowing exactly when those rankings come out helps fans stay ahead of the conversation—especially as March Madness gets closer.
If you want to dig deeper into how these weekly releases shape the season, check out this breakdown of when college basketball rankings are released.
With so many teams and moving parts, the timing of these updates brings both clarity and a bit of excitement every week.
The AP poll isn’t the only ranking system out there, but it’s the one most fans and analysts trust.
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When College Basketball Rankings Are Released
Fans and teams rely on weekly ranking releases for up-to-date info about where schools stand as the season unfolds.
The ranking schedule, the organizations involved, and a few key dates all shape the college basketball landscape.
Weekly Ranking Schedule
Most fans keep tabs on their favorite teams through the weekly AP Top 25 and the USA Today Coaches Poll.
Both rankings come out every Monday during the season, keeping the spotlight on which teams are hot right now.
Release times can shift a bit but usually hit early afternoon.
The AP typically publishes its Top 25 poll around 1 p.m. Eastern Time, giving media outlets and fans a little time for reaction and analysis.
This regular schedule lets everyone anticipate new standings at the start of each week.
Other computer rankings, like the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET), update throughout the week but don’t stick to a fixed day like the traditional polls.
If you want more details, BetMGM’s overview of NCAA basketball rankings covers the weekly release pretty well.
Major Ranking Authorities
The Associated Press and the USA Today Coaches Poll stand out as the main authorities for college basketball rankings.
A panel of sportswriters and broadcasters from all over votes on the AP Poll, while NCAA Division I head coaches handle the Coaches Poll.
These two rankings usually set the tone for debates and help shape public perception.
Alongside these, the NCAA uses NET rankings as its official in-season metric for evaluating team performance, especially for tournament selection.
Even so, the AP Top 25 poll still grabs the most attention every week.
Here’s a table with the key college basketball ranking authorities:
| Ranking Authority | Who Votes | Release Day | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associated Press (AP) | Sportswriters/Broadcasters | Monday | Media/Fans Insight |
| USA Today Coaches Poll | NCAA Head Coaches | Monday | Coaches’ Perspective |
| NCAA NET Rankings | Computer Algorithm | Throughout week | Tournament Selection |
Notable Dates During the College Basketball Season
Ranking updates matter most during the season’s high-stress stretches.
After non-conference play in November and December, conference schedules start up in January.
Changes in the AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll can shift seeding and momentum as conference tournaments get closer.
Two things to remember:
- Weekly rankings in early March help shape the story heading into “Selection Sunday,” when the NCAA announces the tournament field.
- Selection Sunday usually lands in mid-March. Teams check the latest NCAA basketball rankings and NET data for a sense of where they stand before the brackets come out.
If you want a deeper look at the timing and impact of ranking updates, CollegeNetWorth’s guide to college basketball rankings is worth a read.
How the AP Poll and Other Rankings Are Determined
Experienced voters shape college basketball rankings like the AP Top 25.
They combine expert judgment from sports writers and broadcasters with key data and game results to figure out where teams stand each week.
Role of Sports Writers and Broadcasters
A panel of sports writers and broadcasters from all over the country vote on the Associated Press (AP) Top 25.
These folks know their stuff—they’ve covered NCAA basketball for years and watch games closely.
Panelists evaluate team records, recent performances, and head-to-head outcomes.
This method lets the AP poll reflect more than just numbers—it’s about momentum and quality of wins, too.
The Coaches Poll uses a voting panel as well.
Still, the AP Poll gets the most attention because of its consistent expert panel.
| Panel Size | Who Votes | Voting Frequency | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~60-65 | Sports writers & broadcasters | Weekly | All Division I basketball |
Data Sources and Voting Process
Voters look at a bunch of data to create their rankings.
They check win-loss records, strength of schedule, score margins, road wins, and how teams perform against other Top 25 teams.
Panelists use official NCAA stats, game film, and their own observations.
Each week, voters send in their Top 25 rankings by a set deadline—usually Sunday night.
The AP then compiles the results and releases weekly updates every Monday.
A team’s spot in the final rankings comes from a points system.
First-place votes are worth more points; lower placements earn fewer.
Teams are ranked based on the total points from all voters.
This mix of data and professional insight makes the rankings a trusted measure across college basketball.
Ranking Systems in NCAA Basketball
NCAA basketball uses several ranking systems to measure team performance and figure out tournament selection.
These systems look at wins, strength of schedule, and team efficiency.
NET Rankings
The NCAA Evaluation Tool, or NET, is the main system for sorting college basketball teams.
The NCAA created NET in 2018 to replace the old RPI model for men’s and women’s basketball.
NET uses a formula based on game results, strength of schedule, location, scoring margin (capped at 10 points per game), and net efficiency.
NET rankings update daily during the season, so selection committees can judge which teams deserve a tournament spot.
The formula doesn’t just look at win-loss records—it also considers offensive and defensive efficiency and quality wins.
| Factor Used in NET | Description |
|---|---|
| Game Results | Win, loss, or tie |
| Strength of Schedule | Difficulty of opponents |
| Net Efficiency | Difference in offensive and defensive efficiency |
| Scoring Margin (Capped) | Max 10 points |
| Location of Game | Home, away, or neutral site |
Coaches, fans, and media keep a close eye on NET rankings since they directly affect March Madness selection.
You can find more details on NET calculations from NCAA resources and basketball analytics sites.
RPI and Team Value Index
Before NET, the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) served as the standard for ranking NCAA basketball teams.
RPI used three factors: a team’s winning percentage (25%), opponents’ winning percentage (50%), and opponents’ opponents’ winning percentage (25%).
This simple calculation often missed teams with strong performances against tough schedules.
The Team Value Index (TVI) is a newer metric that accounts for the value of wins based on opponent quality and game location.
TVI isn’t as well known, but it gives the committee another mathematical angle when reviewing teams.
RPI and TVI don’t carry as much weight today, but they paved the way for advanced analytics like NET.
Teams and analysts still reference RPI for historical comparisons and to gauge season strength over time.
If you want a breakdown on ranking updates and their importance, check this guide to weekly college basketball rankings.
Factors Influencing Weekly College Basketball Rankings
A handful of data points drive movement in the college basketball rankings.
Win-loss records and strength of schedule usually decide whether a team rises or falls each week.
Team Performance and Win-Loss Record
In NCAA men’s basketball, wins and losses matter most.
Every victory boosts a team’s ranking, especially when they beat a ranked opponent.
Voters and computers look at the quality of each win.
Losing to a lower-ranked or unranked team can knock a program down a few spots.
Consistent wins in conference play show progress and reliability.
Recent performance trends—like a winning streak or a rough patch—play a big role, too.
Teams that drop several games in a short span usually fall in the polls.
A big upset win? That bumps a team up pretty quickly.
| Team | Wins | Losses | Last 5 Games | Current Streak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team A | 23 | 4 | 4-1 | W3 |
| Team B | 18 | 8 | 2-3 | L2 |
| Team C | 21 | 6 | 5-0 | W7 |
Strength of Schedule
Strength of schedule measures how tough a team’s opponents are over the season.
Playing and beating strong teams helps a program move up the rankings and improves their Team Value Index.
Those wins count for more than racking up victories against weaker competition.
Poll voters and ranking systems like NET give extra credit when teams challenge themselves.
A school with a good record but a weak schedule usually ranks lower than a team with similar results against tougher opponents.
Many teams schedule tough non-conference games early in the year to boost their resume.
Later on, conference play ramps up the importance of strength of schedule, especially in top conferences.
It’s not just about opponents’ rankings—a game against a team making steady progress can also help.
If you want more on how schedules affect rankings, here’s a guide to weekly updates.
Impact of Rankings on NCAA Tournament Seeding
College basketball rankings play a huge role in building the NCAA Tournament field.
They aren’t just numbers—they help decide which teams have earned their shot at March Madness and where each one starts in the bracket.
Role in Selection Committee Decisions
The NCAA selection committee leans heavily on rankings when they pick which teams make the tournament and where everyone lands in the bracket.
These days, the NET (NCAA Evaluation Tool) rankings hold the most sway, especially since they replaced the old RPI system back in 2018-19.
Committee members look at NET rankings to size up teams’ résumés. They focus on things like quality wins, strength of schedule, and how teams perform at home versus on the road.
If a team sits high in the NET, they’re much more likely to snag an at-large bid, even if they fall short in their conference tournament.
Here’s a quick table showing how teams in top NET spots usually do when selections roll around:
| NET Ranking | Typical Seed Range | At-Large Bid Chance |
|---|---|---|
| 1-10 | 1 to 3 | 100% |
| 11-30 | 3 to 7 | 95% |
| 31-50 | 7 to 12 | 70% |
| 51+ | 11+ or None | 30% or less |
Besides NET, the committee checks AP Top 25 rankings and a few other tools. Still, NET rankings sit right at the top for seeding.
Connections to Tournament Outcomes
Regular season rankings shape tournament seeding, and that seeding can totally change a team’s March Madness path.
Lower seeds usually get thrown against tougher teams early. Higher seeds, on the other hand, often face weaker opponents in those first games.
Teams with higher seeds usually get a better draw. They might play closer to home and avoid the big-name powerhouses until later.
But let’s be honest—upsets happen all the time. Sometimes a lower seed catches fire and makes a deep run.
Still, the bracket depends a lot on where teams get placed, and that’s closely tied to NCAA basketball rankings.
If you look at how seeds perform, the numbers tell a story:
| Seed | Sweet 16 Appearances (Typical per Year) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3-4 |
| 2 | 2-3 |
| 3-4 | 1-2 |
| 5-16 | Less than 1 (on average) |
Teams keep a close eye on their ranking every week. Every little shift could mean a different seed or even a shot at the tournament.
Prominent Teams Frequently Featured in the Rankings
The programs you see at the top of college basketball rankings most years? They’ve built strong traditions, reel in top recruits, and have coaches who know their stuff.
Some schools have been around forever, while others have just started to make noise by winning consistently.
Historic Powerhouses
The Duke Blue Devils, Kentucky Wildcats, and North Carolina Tar Heels basically set the bar for college hoops. They’ve got multiple national championships, legendary coaches, and a steady stream of NBA talent.
The UCLA Bruins? Nobody’s won more NCAA titles than them.
Villanova Wildcats and UConn Huskies have added to their trophy cases in recent years. Their success comes from tough defense and clutch play when it matters most.
Year after year, these teams find themselves in the AP Top 25.
| Team | National Titles | Last Championship | Most Recent Top-10 AP Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA Bruins | 11 | 1995 | 2024 |
| Kentucky Wildcats | 8 | 2012 | 2022 |
| North Carolina Tar Heels | 6 | 2017 | 2024 |
| Duke Blue Devils | 5 | 2015 | 2024 |
| UConn Huskies | 6 | 2024 | 2025 |
| Villanova Wildcats | 3 | 2018 | 2022 |
People watch these programs not just because of what they’ve done in the past, but because they keep setting the standard every single season.
Rising Programs
Teams like Gonzaga, Houston, and Baylor now show up in the rankings almost every year. Gonzaga used to play the underdog, but now people talk about them as a national power.
They’ve made multiple deep NCAA tournament runs. Houston relies on defense and athleticism, which makes them a tough matchup for anyone.
Baylor grabbed its first NCAA championship in 2021, a huge moment for the program. Purdue keeps climbing too, thanks to a strong frontcourt and a disciplined offense.
You’ll see Purdue in the polls pretty often these days. Creighton and Tennessee have both raised their profiles, mostly by going deep in the postseason and finishing high in their conferences.
These programs have broken into the top 10 and sometimes even hit the number one spot. Honestly, it just goes to show that the old guard isn’t the only game in town anymore.
Recruiting, coaching, and player development matter more than ever if you want to reach the top of college basketball. The landscape really is changing, isn’t it?
