College Basketball Rankings: Comparing First NET Rankings with Latest AP Poll

How the First NET Rankings Compare to the Latest AP Poll

As the college basketball season unfolds, fans and analysts are taking a close look at how the inaugural NET Rankings align with the latest AP Poll results. Both ranking systems serve as measures of team performance, but they rely on different criteria — the NET focuses on analytics and efficiency, while the AP Poll reflects media opinions and voting trends.

Key Observations

The preseason AP Poll offered subjective expectations based on returning players, recruiting classes, and early projections.
The NET Rankings, by contrast, evaluate real data from games already played — offensive and defensive efficiency, strength of schedule, and win quality.
Early comparisons reveal that several teams ranked high in the AP Poll did not perform as well once statistical analysis from the NET system took hold.
Conversely, some underrated teams rose faster in the NET Rankings thanks to strong schedules and consistent early results.

Broader Implications

This first alignment of data-driven rankings with public media polls shows how unpredictable early-season college basketball can be. As teams settle into their nonconference schedules, these discrepancies should narrow, offering a clearer picture of true national contenders.

“Check out how the preseason AP Poll lines up with the first NET Rankings as the college basketball season continues.”

Author summary: Early NET Rankings reveal contrasts with AP Poll perceptions, highlighting which teams outperform expectations and which ones fall behind analytical projections.

On3 — 2025-12-01

How the First NET Rankings Compare to the Latest AP Poll

Key Observations

Broader Implications

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