Story perspectives

Duke Tops Final AP Poll Ahead of NCAA Tournament

3/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

The final AP Top 25 poll before the NCAA Tournament ranked Duke as the top team, followed by Arizona, Michigan, Florida, and Houston.
Purdue rose to No. 8 after defeating Michigan in the Big Ten title game, while St. John's entered the top 10 at No. 10 after winning the Big East championship.
Virginia moved up to No. 9 despite losing in the ACC title game.
Miami (Ohio) dropped out of the rankings after a loss in the MAC Tournament but will still compete in the NCAA Tournament.

History

Historical Context

The NCAA introduced its tournament selection process in 1985, expanding the field to 64 teams and transforming college basketball. Georgetown, coached by John Thompson, won the championship that year, highlighting the significance of African American coaches. This evolution in tournament structure has shaped team strategies and fan engagement, reflecting the competitive landscape of elite programs like Duke, Arizona, and Michigan.

1 of 2

Story summary

The final AP Top 25 poll before the NCAA Tournament ranked Duke as the top team, followed by Arizona, Michigan, Florida, and Houston.
Purdue rose to No. 8 after defeating Michigan in the Big Ten title game, while St. John's entered the top 10 at No. 10 after winning the Big East championship.
Virginia moved up to No. 9 despite losing in the ACC title game.
Miami (Ohio) dropped out of the rankings after a loss in the MAC Tournament but will still compete in the NCAA Tournament.

1 / 2