When Do NCAA Basketball Rankings Come Out? 2025 Schedule

By Sarah Miller · May 6, 2034

The NCAA basketball rankings are released weekly during the college basketball season, typically on Mondays starting in mid-November and continuing through March. The most recognized polls—the AP Top 25 and USA Today Coaches Poll—are published every Monday afternoon, with the final rankings issued after the NCAA Tournament concludes in early April.

When Are NCAA Basketball Rankings Released?

The primary college basketball rankings you’ll encounter each week are the Associated Press (AP) Top 25 and the USA Today Sports AFCA Coaches Poll. Both are updated weekly throughout the regular season and postseason.

Release Schedule Overview

AP Top 25: Released every Monday by 2:00 PM ET, starting the third week of November.
USA Today Coaches Poll: Published each Monday afternoon, shortly after AP rankings.
NET Rankings: Updated daily during the season, but official NCAA tournament selection committee rankings debut in early February.
Final Rankings: Issued after the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship game in early April.

Types of NCAA Basketball Rankings

Different ranking systems serve different purposes—from media perception to tournament selection.

AP Top 25 Poll

Voted on by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, the AP Poll reflects media sentiment. It begins before the season starts and continues through the NCAA Tournament. A team's performance in non-conference play and key wins significantly influence their position.

USA Today Coaches Poll

This poll is voted on by head coaches from Division I programs. While similar to the AP Poll, it can differ due to insider perspectives and potential regional bias. Coaches cannot vote for their own teams.

NCAA NET Rankings

The NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) is the official metric used by the NCAA Selection Committee to determine tournament eligibility and seeding. Unlike subjective polls, the NET is algorithm-based, factoring in:

Game results
Strength of schedule
Game location (home, away, neutral)
Scoring margin (capped at 10 points per game)
Net efficiency metrics

The NET rankings are updated daily on NCAA.org.

Key Dates for 2024–2025 Season Rankings

The release calendar for NCAA basketball rankings follows a predictable annual pattern. Below are the projected dates based on historical schedules and NCAA announcements.

Event	Date	Ranking Type
First AP Poll (Preseason)	November 4, 2024	AP Top 25
First Coaches Poll	November 11, 2024	USA Today Coaches Poll
First Weekly NET Update	November 25, 2024	NCAA NET
First Bracketology Preview	February 3, 2025	NCAA Selection Committee
Final Regular-Season Rankings	March 17, 2025	AP & Coaches
NCAA Tournament Championship	April 7, 2025	Final Rankings

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The table highlights critical dates for fans tracking team progression. Preseason polls set early narratives, while February’s Selection Committee reveal offers insight into tournament bubble teams. The final rankings post-championship solidify legacy and season evaluation.

How Are Teams Ranked?

Each ranking system uses different criteria to evaluate team strength.

Subjective vs. Objective Metrics

AP and Coaches Polls: Based on voter judgment, considering recent performance, win-loss record, quality wins, and injuries.
NCAA NET: Fully objective, using data analytics to assess team efficiency and scheduling strength.

Factors Influencing Voter Perception

Marquee non-conference wins (e.g., beating a top-10 team on neutral ground)
Conference dominance (e.g., undefeated run in ACC or Big Ten)
Player injuries or suspensions affecting team performance
Performance in ranked matchups (beat/down)

Frequently Asked Questions About NCAA Basketball Rankings

When do the first NCAA basketball rankings come out?

The preseason AP Top 25 is typically released in early November—on November 4, 2024, for the upcoming season. The Coaches Poll follows shortly after on November 11. These initial rankings shape early-season expectations.

Are NCAA basketball rankings released every week?

Yes, both the AP Top 25 and USA Today Coaches Poll are published weekly on Mondays during the season. The NET rankings are updated daily, providing real-time insights into team performance and tournament positioning.

What time do the NCAA basketball rankings come out?

The AP Top 25 is usually released around 2:00 PM Eastern Time on Mondays. The Coaches Poll follows between 2:30 PM and 3:00 PM ET. Updates are posted directly on AP News and USA Today Sports websites.

Do the rankings include postseason performance?

Yes, the final AP and Coaches Polls include results from the NCAA Tournament. Teams that advance deep into March Madness often see significant movement in the final rankings, regardless of their pre-tournament seed.

How important are the NCAA basketball rankings for tournament selection?

While the AP and Coaches Polls influence public perception, the NCAA Selection Committee relies primarily on the NET rankings, quadrant wins, and overall resume. However, being ranked can signal consistency and help bolster a team’s case for inclusion.